OCC Launches New Hub to Advance Artificial Intelligence in Ontario

(TORONTO – April 10, 2024) — As productivity challenges hamper Canada’s growth and competitiveness, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) aims to maximize the economic and social benefits of artificial intelligence. Today, the OCC announced the launch of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub, an industry-academic collaboration to drive AI adoption among Ontario businesses – and evidence-based policymaking from government.

“The Ontario Chamber of Commerce aims to maintain Ontario’s global leadership in AI and emerging technologies,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “By bringing together industry, academia, and policymakers, the OCC’s AI Hub will advance dialogue and action to maximize the benefits of AI for businesses, workers and communities across the province.”

While Ontario boasts a strong foundation in AI, there remain barriers to adoption, such as talent gaps, ethical considerations and privacy concerns. These challenges are even more prevalent for small and medium-sized enterprises, as they have fewer resources to acquire and integrate new technologies. Ontario’s businesses must also have the confidence and conditions to invest in emerging technologies, capital, innovation, and research and development – key drivers of productivity.

“Leadership in the past does not guarantee leadership in the future,” said Simranzeet Singh Vig, Senior Policy Analyst and AI Policy Lead for the OCC. “Ontario must optimize its AI advantage to enhance its productive capacity and emerge as a leader in research, commercialization, and application.”

The Hub has three core offerings: courses and training sessions to bridge the knowledge gap among businesses; policy development and advocacy to promote evidence-based decision making; and events and networking to drive thought leadership and conversations about AI.

The OCC expresses gratitude to its anchor partners on the AI Hub, Microsoft Canada and WatSPEED at the University of Waterloo, its lead partner, Dye & Durham, and its presenting partner, Magnet.

To learn more or get involved, contact Simranzeet Singh Vig, Senior Policy Analyst, OCC or Neeky Dalir, Policy Analyst, OCC.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, not-for-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and economic growth in the province.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Senior Manager, Public Affairs,
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-0255

Backgrounder

About WatSPEED
As a premier provider of lifelong learning, WatSPEED at the University of Waterloo delivers professional, corporate, and executive education designed to support the workforce of the future. WatSPEED offers a range of courses and certificate programs that will teach you how to leverage cutting-edge technologies and enable you and your organization to innovate, compete, and stay agile in today’s rapidly changing workplace.

About Dye & Durham Limited
Dye & Durham Limited provides premier practice management solutions empowering legal professionals every day, delivers vital data insights to support critical corporate transactions and enables the essential payments infrastructure trusted by government and financial institutions. The company has operations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa. Additional information can be found at www.dyedurham.com.

Magnet 
Based at Toronto Metropolitan University, Magnet is an innovation centre focused on the future of work. Leveraging advanced technology and strategic partnerships, their vision is an integrated, publicly funded employment and training system that supports an inclusive workforce, drives economic development, and promotes social prosperity across Canada. Through its MagnetAI initiative, Magnet is working with partners across its network to promote the adoption of generative AI among small business to support growth and transformation.