CIFAR AI is a major Canadian research initiative administered by the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), a global research organization founded in 1982. It encompasses the CIFAR Chairs in AI program and the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which supports AI research and talent across Canada. The program is known for its role in advancing Deep learning and Artificial intelligence research, with strong ties to academic institutions like the University of Toronto.
The initiative was launched in 2017 when the Government of Canada asked CIFAR to develop and lead the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, investing $125 million over five years. In 2022, the second phase was announced with up to $208 million in federal support over ten years. The strategy aims to position Canada as a global leader in AI research, innovation, and talent development.
CIFAR Chairs in AI
The CIFAR Chairs in AI program is a cornerstone of the strategy, appointing leading researchers at universities across Canada. These chairs are hosted at three national AI institutes: the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) in Edmonton, Mila - Quebec AI Institute in Montreal, and the Vector Institute in Toronto. The chairs receive funding to conduct research in areas such as Machine learning, Neural networks, and Generative AI. Notable chair holders include Samy Bengio, Aaron Courville, and other prominent researchers.
The program supports over 100 AI chairs, fostering collaboration between academia and industry. It has contributed to breakthroughs in Deep learning and Transformer (architecture) architectures, which underpin modern Large language models. The chairs also mentor graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, helping to build Canada's AI talent pool.
Pan-Canadian AI Strategy
The Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, led by CIFAR, coordinates AI research and innovation across Canada. It funds research programs, training initiatives, and industry partnerships. The strategy has three main pillars: advancing AI research, supporting talent development, and fostering innovation and commercialization.
Research programs under the strategy include the Learning in Machines & Brains program, which was established in 2004 and has been led by pioneers like Geoffrey Hinton. This program has been instrumental in validating the power of Deep learning through collaborative research. The strategy also supports workshops, conferences, and international collaborations, such as with OpenAI and Google DeepMind.
AI Institutes and Hubs
The three national AI institutes - Amii, Mila, and the Vector Institute - serve as hubs for AI research and innovation. They provide funding, computing resources, and industry connections for researchers. Each institute has a distinct focus: Amii emphasizes reinforcement learning and applications, Mila focuses on deep learning and generative models, and the Vector Institute specializes in machine learning and health applications.
These institutes collaborate with industry partners like AMD, Apple, and Samsung Electronics to translate research into practical applications. They also offer training programs and workshops to develop AI skills across Canada.
Impact and Recognition
CIFAR AI has had a significant impact on the global AI landscape. The research supported by the program has led to advances in Deep learning and Neural networks, with many findings published in top journals and conferences. The program has also produced notable alumni, including Geoffrey Hinton, who received the 2018 ACM A.M. Turing Award for his contributions to deep learning.
The strategy has helped Canada attract and retain top AI talent, with over 400 researchers from 21 countries involved in CIFAR programs. It has also fostered a vibrant AI ecosystem, with startups and established companies leveraging Canadian research. As of 2023, the program continues to evolve, with new initiatives in areas like Generative AI and Large language models.
Governance and Funding
CIFAR AI is governed by CIFAR's Board of Directors, with Irfhan Rawji as chair and Jacqueline Koerner and Anne McLellan as co-vice chairs. The President and CEO, Stephen Toope since November 2022, oversees the program. Funding comes from the Government of Canada, provincial governments, and private partners, with an annual budget of around $30 million as of 2018.
The program's success has led to international recognition, with other countries seeking to replicate its model. It remains a key component of Canada's innovation strategy, supporting research that spans from fundamental Machine learning to applied AI solutions.