Toronto's artificial intelligence institute aims to stop up A.I. brain drain

With artificial intelligence set to transform our world, a new institute is putting Toronto to the front of the line to lead the charge. The Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, made possible by funding from the federal government revealed in the 2017 budget, will move into new digs in the MaRS Discovery District by the end of the year. There, scientists will aim to attract and retain top global talent while working on software that mimics -- and may one day surpass -- human intelligence. Vector's funding comes partially from a $125 million investment announced in last Wednesday's federal budget to launch a pan-Canadian artificial intelligence strategy, with similar institutes being established in Montreal and Edmonton. 'I think this truly is Canada's moment and we would be foolish not to take advantage of it,' said Canadian Institute for Advanced Research CEO and president Dr. Alan Bernstein.