Ottawa tabs $10.2M for AI development, use in Manitoba – Winnipeg Free Press

The Manitoba Construction Sector Council, with $1.14 million in federal funding from Ottawa, plans to create a drone library to help local construction firms advance their technological capabilities.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Minister Evan Solomon announced significant federal funding for AI development in Manitoba, emphasizing the importance of building AI infrastructure in Canada.
Local construction firms are falling behind technologically, with only four percent using drones, highlighting a significant gap compared to competitors in other provinces and the United States.
The drone library initiative aims to provide affordable access to drones for firms to evaluate and integrate them into their operations, targeting a launch date of October 1.
The federal government’s AI strategy includes $500 million for regional economic development offices, with six selected Manitoba organizations set to receive funding that could create around 170 jobs.
Federal funding also supports various companies, including Mode40 for defense-focused drone projects and Taiv for expanding its AI-integrated advertising platform, signaling the broader application and growth potential of AI in different sectors.