Kanata, Ontario
Through its vast network of tech talent and industry leaders, the Ottawa region is renowned for its cutting-edge research and development and innovation in numerous sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI). Capitalizing on the region's growing ideas and innovations in the AI sector is an essential way to ensure Canadian businesses are at the forefront while also bringing new critical solutions to market. These goals are aligned with the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a plan that is bridging Canada's world-class talent and research capacity with programs to help improve the commercialization and adoption of Canadian AI innovations.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Kanata-Carleton, visited InPho, which builds fiber optic chips that enable the world's highest speed internet connections between computers in data centres, operating 500 times faster than highspeed fiber in homes.
While there, Minister Sudds announced a combined investment of over $7 million for six growing AI and tech companies in Ottawa: Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc., Communication Components Antenna Inc., InPho, Mission Control, NORTAC Defence and Trualta Care Network (Trualta). The investments are helping the companies to scale-up and commercialize new products and services. Additional information on the projects is included in the backgrounder.
AI is changing the world and is powered by data, creating demand for high-speed fiber links. That's why as part of this investment, InPho received $3 million to commercialize its fiber optic chips, ensuring quicker uploads, downloads and AI requests. This investment is contributing to building out our semiconductor ecosystem in Canada around high-speed computer communications that includes advanced semiconductor fabrication, packaging, test and system manufacturing.
Across Canada, entrepreneurs are innovating new integral solutions. The Government of Canada is working to ensure we are capitalizing on their potential and setting Canadian businesses up for success.
