Media Release: Alberta lends AI expertise to face global challenges of COVID-19

EDMONTON, AB (April 7, 2020) – The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) is contributing artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge and expertise to boost three high-impact initiatives and meet global challenges presented by COVID-19. In the near term, Amii scientists will offer mentorship and educational content to empower thousands of technology and life sciences professionals as they work towards solutions. For more information and to participate in community-driven initiatives, visit amii.ca/covid-19.  

“The world is facing an unprecedented situation that is impacting our healthcare system, economy and daily life,” says Amii CEO Cam Linke. “Cross-sector collaboration is key for developing globally-relevant solutions, and Amii is proud to lend our expertise to the world’s scientific community and solidify Alberta’s role in responding to the unique challenges presented by COVID-19.”

Artificial intelligence and machine learning serve to de-risk priority projects, provide vital insights to high-impact strategy, and enable productivity solutions for complex problems facing our health sector, as well as traditional and emerging industries. The technologies also present unique opportunities to bring together multidisciplinary teams focused around innovative solutions for specific challenges. 

Amii is contributing to three high-impact initiatives: the Roche Data Science Coalition, the CODEVID-19 Hackathon and the CIFAR Coordinated National Approach. Details on the three initiatives follow:

Roche Data Science Coalition

Led by Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada), this working group brings together public and private organizations – including NVIDIA, DOC.ai, Self Care Catalysts, Health Storylines, Vector Institute, ThinkData Works, and RGAX – to develop translational solutions in three key areas: Patient Support, Insights into Capacity Issues, Research Enhancement.

CODEVID-19 Hackathon

More than 1,600 developers and domain experts from 40 countries have joined CODEVID-19, an Edmonton-based, grassroots hackathon building rapid solutions to problems facing all citizens during the pandemic. Produced by the Dev Edmonton Society, the hackathon runs until the end of April, with weekly prizes awarded for app submissions.

CIFAR – A Coordinated National Approach

CIFAR has activated the anchor institutes of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy through a number of initiatives, task forces, and funding opportunities.

Cam Linke, Amii CEO, is participating in ongoing International Roundtables on AI and COVID-19 with a focus on data access and sharing. Meanwhile, Amii Fellows are actively applying for targeted CIFAR funding for AI and COVID-19 interdisciplinary research collaborations to support innovating, high-risk/high-reward ideas and projects.

In addition, the AI Against COVID-19 Canada task force aims to map and coordinate AI projects in Canada that can contribute to solving the COVID-19 outbreak and limit its impact on society. The task force is led by a community of researchers from CIFAR, Amii, Mila, and the Vector Institute.

About Amii

One of Canada’s three centres of AI excellence as part of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, Amii (the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) is an Alberta-based non-profit institute that supports world-leading research in artificial intelligence and machine learning and translates scientific advancement into industry adoption. Amii grows AI capabilities through advancing leading-edge research, delivering exceptional educational offerings and providing business advice – all with the goal of building in-house AI capabilities. For more information, visit amii.ca. 

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Media Resources: Amii Fact Sheet
Available for Interviews: Cam Linke, Amii CEO
Contact: Spencer Murray, Communications & Public Relations
t: 587.415.6100 ext. 109 | c: 780.991.7136
spencer.murray@amii.ca