Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative – Adoption Pillar 2

Who can apply

Projects must be primarily focused on the adoption or integration of AI or AI solutions to be eligible for funding under this pillar. For greater clarity, this refers to a project that goes beyond simply purchasing commercial-off-the-shelf AI tools.

If you are a business | If you are a not-for-profit organization providing services to businesses

If you are a business: To be eligible, your business must:

If you are a business: Be incorporated and registered to do business in Canada or Ontario.

If you are a business: Have at least 5 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) and no more than 500 FTEs.

If you are a business: Have at least 3 years of business operations, as demonstrated by your financial statements.

If you are a business: Demonstrate that you will secure rights to intellectual property (IP) required for the project.

If you are a business: Where applicable, must not infringe on any IP rights, and demonstrate that you will own any IP you will create or develop in carrying out the project.

If you are a business: Demonstrate a commitment to the responsible development and use of AI.

If you are a not-for-profit organization providing services to businesses: To be eligible, your organization must:

If you are a not-for-profit organization providing services to businesses: Be an incorporated not-for-profit organization in Canada or Ontario.

If you are a not-for-profit organization providing services to businesses: Have a track record of providing services to multiple businesses in southern Ontario.

If you are a not-for-profit organization providing services to businesses: Have an Intellectual Property (IP) policy, which addresses ownership and protection of IP, and rights to third party IP if required for the project.

If you are a not-for-profit organization providing services to businesses: Demonstrate a commitment to the responsible development and use of AI.

Responsible development and use of AI

Your AI/AI-driven solution is or has been developed in a manner that complies with current and anticipated legislative requirements and industry standards, and you have a plan to align your project with principles of responsible AI such as:

1. Cybersecurity – Data, any IP, AI systems and underlying infrastructure are protected from cyber threats, a pre-requisite to data privacy.
2. Human oversight and accountability – Humans exercise meaningful oversight and regular monitoring of AI systems, and there are accountability frameworks in place with respect to performance, impacts and compliance with ethical, technical, and legal requirements/standards.

As relevant:

1. Data governance and privacy – Policies, practices and roles are in place to ensure sound stewardship and quality of data used for the training or operation of AI systems. If the data involved is personal/sensitive, sound governance will ensure lawful, consent-based access, collection and use of only data that is needed for the intended purpose, as well as the proper retention, disclosure, and deletion of this data to prevent unauthorized access. Privacy is a fundamental right in Canada.
2. Safety – Risks of harm (physical, psychological, financial, etc.) to individuals or society are identified and mitigated.
3. Fairness and equity – AI systems do not reinforce or create bias against specific groups of people.
4. Accuracy and authenticity – AI systems produce results that are reliable, correct and original, and are based on data that are accurate, authentic, relevant and unbiased, etc.

Your business or organization can only submit one application to FedDev Ontario during this intake period across any open programs. Multiple applications to different programs within this intake period will not be accepted.