Mitacs is supporting AI adoption by deploying talent where it’s needed most.
Canada is entering a critical moment in the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI), with global competition accelerating and economic performance pressures increasing at home. Although the country has achieved global leadership in AI research, businesses continue to face persistent barriers including slow adoption and commercialization, low levels of AI literacy, inadequate access to secure data and infrastructure, and the need for stronger safeguards and governance frameworks. Mitacs, a national innovation connector, is well positioned to help translate Canada’s AI ambitions into practical outcomes and economic gains by mobilizing talent and strengthening research–industry collaborations.
The recent launch of the federal government’s AI Strategy Task Force further reflects growing national attention to systemic gaps such as uneven sectoral readiness and misalignment between industrial needs and the infrastructure required to support adoption at scale. Budget 2025 and the federal commitment to build sovereign AI computational capacity reinforce these priorities, signalling the need for coordinated action. Stakeholders across industry, academia, and the broader innovation ecosystem have also emphasized that Canada’s research strengths must be better connected to real-world problem solving, ensuring that emerging capabilities are supported by trust, safety, and effective data stewardship.
Talent and research powering innovation
Mitacs is addressing these challenges by deploying highly qualified talent to accelerate AI research, commercialization, and adoption across the economy. Through more than 3,100 projects and 4,800 internships in AI since 2019, Mitacs embeds multidisciplinary teams directly into Canadian companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to help identify concrete opportunities to apply AI, de-risk adoption, demonstrate return on investment, and build internal readiness from within. This work is accelerating the path from lab to market by advancing prototypes, supporting academic entrepreneurs, and helping firms integrate AI into products, services, and operations. Through its dedicated AI strategy, Mitacs is also developing the AI-ready workforce Canada needs by equipping interns with applied AI, business, and commercialization skills, supported by new collaborations with post-secondary partners to deepen specialized training. These efforts are complemented by partnerships with key players in the national ecosystem, including CIFAR, Mila, Vector, Amii, and IVADO, whose thought leadership and research strengths help inform and extend this work.
“The priorities outlined for Canada’s next AI strategy underscore the importance of the talent-driven model Mitacs delivers,” notes Mitacs CEO, Dr. Stephen Lucas. “Since 2018, Mitacs has invested $1.42B in research and development through more than 35,000 innovation projects and nearly 100,000 internships, helping connect emerging talent with public and private sector needs. With $174.4M invested in AI over the past seven years alone, we are supporting practical deployment and helping businesses build the talent and capacity they need to compete.”
The value of this model is evident in Mitacs-supported projects applying AI to real-world challenges across the economy.
Creating safer skies
Thales, a global tech leader in defence and aerospace, conducts advanced research through its cortAIx labs. Mitacs collaborates with Thales on projects that apply Al to aviation safety, including autonomous obstacle detection, improved take-off and landing systems, and predictive maintenance support tools. The partnership also promotes long-term talent retention in Quebec: former Mitacs interns now make up roughly one-third of the cortAIx workforce.
Since 2018, Mitacs has invested $1.42B in research and development through more than 35,000 innovation projects and nearly 100,000 internships, helping connect emerging talent with public and private sector needs.
With $174.4M invested in AI over the past seven years alone, we are supporting practical deployment and helping businesses build the talent and capacity they need to compete.
“Through its partnership with Mitacs, Thales applies AI to strengthen aviation safety, streamline critical operations, and drive innovation into business operations. This collaboration addresses complex aerospace challenges while cultivating top-tier talent, transforming research into a powerful engine for sustainable business growth,” says says Jean-François Gagnon, Director, cortAIx Labs, Thales.
Improving patient care
For almost a decade, Mitacs has worked closely with FluidAI Medical to support prototype development, R&D, clinical validation, and business expansion. This ongoing partnership reduces research risks, speeds up commercialization, and provides access to top talent.
“Mitacs believed in our vision early on. Mitacs’ support helped us validate technology, access top student talent, and make the leap from student start-up to a company improving patient outcomes across Canada,” says Amr Abdelgaward, Co-Founder and COO, FluidAI Medical.
Accelerating AI adoption across the economy
For more than 25 years, Mitacs has helped build the research and talent capacity needed to strengthen Canada’s productivity and global competitiveness. As federal efforts sharpen their focus on AI adoption and real-world impact, these collaborations demonstrate the value of industry–academic partnerships in driving commercial success, building innovation capacity, and supporting a resilient and high-performing economy.
Canada continues to face persistent challenges, as the gap with key competitors widens due to limited investment in commercializing Canadian research and slow adoption of AI and other technologies. Mitacs will continue to help turn research strengths into economic prosperity by connecting ideas with application and developing the workforce of tomorrow. Building on our proven track record in fueling business–academic collaboration with top talent from across Canada and around the world, Mitacs is committed to accelerating AI use and adoption throughout the economy and helping businesses convert technological advances into competitiveness and long-term growth.
To learn more visit mitacs.ca.
