Closed: Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative – Adoption Pillar 2: Who can apply

2. Who can apply

1. Eligible applicants

If you are a business   If you are a not-for-profit organization providing services to businesses

To be eligible, your business must:

  • Be incorporated and registered to do business in Canada or Ontario.
  • Have at least 5 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) and no more than 500 FTEs.
  • Have at least 3 years of business operations, as demonstrated by your financial statements.
  • Demonstrate that you will secure rights to intellectual property (IP) required for the project.
  • Where applicable, must not infringe on any IP rights, and demonstrate that you will own any IP you will create or develop in carrying out the project.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the responsible development and use of AI.
  

To be eligible, your organization must:

  • Be an incorporated not-for-profit organization in Canada or Ontario.
  • Have a track record of providing services to multiple businesses in southern Ontario.
  • Have an Intellectual Property (IP) policy, which addresses ownership and protection of IP, and rights to third party IP if required for the project.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the responsible development and use of AI.

 

Responsible development and use of AI

Your AI/AI-driven solution is or has been developed in a manner that complies with current and anticipated legislative requirements and industry standards, and you have a plan to align your project with principles of responsible AI such as:

  • Cybersecurity – Data, any IP, AI systems and underlying infrastructure are protected from cyber threats, a pre-requisite to data privacy.
  • Human oversight and accountability – Humans exercise meaningful oversight and regular monitoring of AI systems, and there are accountability frameworks in place with respect to performance, impacts and compliance with ethical, technical, and legal requirements/standards.

As relevant:

  • Data governance and privacy – Policies, practices and roles are in place to ensure sound stewardship and quality of data used for the training or operation of AI systems. If the data involved is personal/sensitive, sound governance will ensure lawful, consent-based access, collection and use of only data that is needed for the intended purpose, as well as the proper retention, disclosure, and deletion of this data to prevent unauthorized access. Privacy is a fundamental right in Canada.
  • Safety – Risks of harm (physical, psychological, financial, etc.) to individuals or society are identified and mitigated.
  • Fairness and equity – AI systems do not reinforce or create bias against specific groups of people.
  • Accuracy and authenticity – AI systems produce results that are reliable, correct and original, and are based on data that are accurate, authentic, relevant and unbiased, etc.

 

2. Eligible projects:

If you are a business   If you are a not-for-profit organization

The AI Adoption pillar supports projects focused on the purchase and installation of AI or AI-driven solutions (beyond the purchase of commonly available AI tools) within business operations with the aim to scale, improve process efficiency, and/or increase productivity and competitiveness.

Examples of supportable activities could include:

  • Acquiring and integrating AI solutions.
  • Improving governance and adopting best management practices.
  • Upgrading equipment, improving digital infrastructure, re-engineering processes
  • Accessing AI expertise.
  • Building capacity and training (not duplicative of other government support programs).
  • Strengthening cybersecurity measures.
  • Establishing guidelines/frameworks/committees to ensure the responsible use of AI.
  

The AI Adoption pillar supports projects focused on strengthening regional or sectoral productivity and competitiveness by supporting businesses with the adoption or integration of AI solutions within their operations (beyond the purchase of commonly available AI tools).

Examples of supportable activities could include:

  • Facilitating the acquisition and integration of AI solution(s).
  • Providing technology test-beds.
  • Creator/buyer matchmaking exchanges/events.
  • Providing AI expertise, training, mentorship and other advisory supports.
  • Activities to attract and retain talent.
  • Supporting business development.
  • Developing frameworks and reports on best practices related to the responsible use of AI that could be used to build trust and support stewardship.
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