COVID-19 Updates: Taking steps to return to normal.
- Public health restrictions: Alberta entered Step 2 on March 1.
- Book your vaccine: Albertans 5+ can get it now. Get third dose when eligible.
COVID-19 Updates: Taking steps to return to normal.
The Government of Alberta is supporting research at the University of Alberta that will create jobs and promote innovation in energy, health and transportation.
The University of Alberta is receiving almost $6.3 million, which will help fund leading-edge research in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), health science, seniors care, and uses of advanced laser technology.
Positioning Alberta as a world leader in advanced AI technologies, $4.5 million of the funding from the province’s Major Innovation Fund will support AI research at the university’s Centre for Autonomous Systems in automated transportation, medical robots and manufacturing.
The funding also includes $1.8 million in strategic investments, including through the province’s Research Capacity Program. The money will be used to develop a world-class facility that studies the use of lasers in potential treatments for skin diseases and cancer, and in remote sensing solutions for the oilsands. The university will also use the funding to support research on the role carbohydrates may play in diseases and allow for the creation of a data portal for research, care and innovation related to seniors.
“Alberta is one of the top research destinations for artificial intelligence and machine learning. That’s why we are making a strategic investment in projects like the Centre for Autonomous Systems. This research has huge commercial applications here in Alberta for jobs today and tomorrow.”
“Alberta’s universities and colleges are home to groundbreaking research and new discoveries. Today’s investment will help set our students up for success in a future job market.”
“Albertans trust the University of Alberta not only with educating tens of thousands of students every year, but also with undertaking world-leading research. We work to ensure our discoveries and research improve their daily lives, strengthen Alberta’s economy and communities, and help our province not only overcome the challenges of today but also chart a course for tomorrow. Investments such as these from the Government of Alberta are crucial to ensuring we can continue to deliver the results that Albertans have seen and come to expect from the U of A.”
Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a bold, ambitious long-term strategy to build, diversify, and create tens of thousands of jobs now. By building schools, roads and other core infrastructure we are benefiting our communities. By diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth. Alberta came together to save lives by flattening the curve and now we must do the same to save livelihoods, grow and thrive.