Canada has long been a birthplace of groundbreaking ideas in the world of artificial intelligence (AI), yet the question remains: can it lead the world in AI commercialization?
At the Remarkable 2025 conference, held by the Vector Institute, key industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of AI and Canada’s role in shaping it. The conference’s theme was simple yet crucial: AI adoption and commercialization are essential to ensure Canada remains competitive in an increasingly globalized and tech-driven world.
AI’s Canadian Origins: A Competitive Advantage at Risk
AI research and development have been cornerstones of Canada’s tech landscape. As a global leader in AI research, Canada has produced pioneers like Geoffrey Hinton, the “Godfather of AI.” The country’s research community continues to make strides in machine learning, healthtech, and AI for social good. Yet, despite this research strength, Canada lags behind in AI adoption and commercialization, according to many experts at the conference.
Cameron Schuler, Vice President of Industry Innovation at the Vector Institute, stressed that now is the time for Canada to capitalize on its AI roots. He emphasized, “Canada has the resources and talent to be the best in the world at using AI—just as we are the best at thinking about it.”
AI: From Research to Real-World Applications
While Canada’s AI research community is flourishing, many industry experts agree that the country must accelerate AI adoption across various sectors. The focus is not just on improving productivity and competitiveness, but also on transforming the Canadian economy in the face of new global challenges. As Schuler put it, “The future of innovation lies in local entrepreneurs applying globally validated models.”
This sentiment was echoed by Kristin Milchanowski, Chief AI and Data Officer at BMO, who sees AI not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a transformational force for Canada’s economy. “AI can drive innovation and economic progress in a way that puts Canada in a strategic position on the world stage,” she said.
Bridging the Gap: AI in Action
One of the key topics at Remarkable 2025 was bridging the gap between AI research and industry adoption. Azin Asgarian, AI Technical Lead at Georgian, pointed out that companies are grappling with the “buy or build” challenge, where the abundance of AI products and solutions makes it difficult to navigate their path to adoption. Asgarian stressed the importance of tying AI implementations to clear business outcomes for tangible results.
The Vector Institute is already playing a pivotal role in accelerating AI adoption by helping organizations implement AI in practical business use cases, such as AI for healthcare, cancer detection, and secure data sharing. Their model focuses on real-world applications that directly benefit industries, highlighting that AI is not just a theoretical tool, but one with immediate, impactful results.
The Global Opportunity: Canada’s Moment to Lead
At Remarkable 2025, Laura Gilbert, Head of the AI for Government Program at the Ellison Institute of Technology, shared how AI can solve complex global issues like reducing prescription medication errors, which currently contribute to thousands of preventable deaths annually in the UK. Gilbert’s experience in applying AI for public good was a testament to AI’s potential beyond the tech industry.
For Canada, AI adoption is now seen as a national imperative to ensure economic resilience and security. Schuler emphasized that Toronto is home to one of the most dynamic AI ecosystems in the world, and Canada is uniquely positioned to lead the way in AI innovation.
AI and Canada’s Future Security
Schuler went further, framing AI adoption as critical not just for economic prosperity, but also for Canada’s future security and sovereignty. “Modern AI was born in Canada, and we want to ensure that its future—and all the economic and societal benefits that come with it—remains rooted here,” he said.
As AI continues to disrupt industries, it’s clear that Canada’s AI leadership must evolve beyond research into widespread adoption and commercialization. If the country can successfully bridge this gap, it will not only drive innovation but also position itself at the forefront of the global AI race.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire as we continue to explore how AI innovations are shaping Canada’s future and the world’s economy.
