Amii (the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), one of Canada’s three national AI institutes, and the University of Alberta — a globally recognized leader in artificial intelligence research — have successfully completed a historic recruitment campaign to bring some of the world’s top AI minds to Alberta.
The appointment of 25 researchers was made possible through a $30-million investment by Amii to the U of A, first announced in 2023, and supported by the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) under the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy.
“By attracting the world’s brightest minds in AI to work at the intersections of AI and science, Amii, the University of Alberta and CIFAR are ensuring that Canadian innovation is central to solving the world’s toughest problems,” says Evan Solomon, minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, who was on hand for the announcement today at the Upper Bound AI Conference in Edmonton.
The campaign had an initial goal of hiring 20 new faculty members. In the end, five additional hires were added. Some of the 25 researchers hired have also been appointed as Canada CIFAR AI Chairs.
“Our collaboration with the University of Alberta has successfully positioned our province as a global magnet for interdisciplinary AI excellence,” says Amii CEO Cam Linke. “By securing these researchers, we are ensuring that the next generation of breakthroughs in critical domains—from biology to health, neuroscience to outer space — starts right here in Canada. With the vital support of the Canada CIFAR AI Chairs program, we are fostering the talent and the technology that will define the real-world impact of AI on a global scale.”
The initiative embeds premier talent at the intersection of AI and fields including health, energy, space exploration and agriculture. It marks a definitive leap toward a future defined by “AI+X” — the strategic integration of machine intelligence into the world’s most critical scientific domains. From pioneering personalized medicine and mitigating climate change to securing global food systems, Alberta’s expanded research capacity is now uniquely positioned to solve the most complex and pressing challenges of our time.
“This diverse group of researchers is conducting high-impact work that is improving the lives of Canadians,” says Elissa Strome, executive director of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy at CIFAR. “Through the Canada CIFAR AI Chairs program, we are not just attracting talent, we are also building a legacy of innovation that will benefit Canadians for generations.”
“Universities play a vital role in both the innovation and responsible use of AI,” says Dr. Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell, dean and vice-provost of the U of A’s College of Natural and Applied Sciences. “This investment in talent will accelerate research breakthroughs here in Canada, strengthen our economy, improve lives and prepare our students to lead the next generation of AI innovation.”
The U of A is ranked fifth in the world for AI according to the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, and ranks first in Canada for AI in the U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings.