EDMONTON, AB (November 4, 2020) – The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) is now accepting applications for participation in the Agriculture Spring 2021 cohort of the previously announced REMI (Reducing Emissions through Machine Intelligence) Program. The program, made possible through a $5M investment from the Government of Alberta’s TIER Program, will enable companies to leverage novel applications of artificial intelligence (AI) for projects that will have a measurable impact on emissions reduction in Alberta. Applications close on January 31, 2021. For more information and to download the Program Guide, visit amii.ca

The program is designed to progress companies, from startups to small and medium businesses to multinational corporations, along the AI Adoption Spectrum, focusing on GHG reduction projects.

Amii aims to accept all companies, at any stage of AI adoption, looking to participate in the REMI program. Based on a company’s current level of AI adoption, team composition, and near-term GHG reduction goals, they will be placed in an appropriate program stream.

Stream 1: Exploring & Initiating

• Companies participating in Stream 1 will take part in Phase 1 and, upon completion, meet with the Program Manager to evaluate the opportunity to progress to Phase 2 and Phase 3.

• Stream 1 includes program activities focused on upskilling team members to be AI champions within their organization. Participants will be provided with tools and resources to share their AI knowledge and facilitate AI-focused discussions across the company.

Stream 2: Implementing & Operationalizing

• Companies participating in Stream 2 are pre-approved to participate in Phase 1, 2 and 3.

• Stream 2 includes program activities focused on accelerating the rate of AI adoption, building on the existing AI resources found within the company. As such, Phase 1 activities will include more hands-on guidance from Amii scientists and educators with a focus on executing Phase 2 and Phase 3 projects.

“Leaders in the agriculture sector are embracing technology and making strides towards greater efficiency and more sustainable practices. The opportunities to apply artificial intelligence technologies in the field are vast, from crop science to animal genetics, and we look forward to working with forward-thinking teams as they accelerate their AI adoption strategies,” says Cam Linke, Amii CEO

REMI Agriculture Spring 2021 programming begins on March 15, 2021 and includes three phases:

1. Foundations: Participants gain foundational AI knowledge and create a roadmap for potential AI projects focused on GHG reduction. This programming phase includes hands-on training opportunities and facilitated sessions with a multi-disciplinary team of project managers, scientists, educators and domain experts.

2. Commitments: Companies define, specify and scope a machine learning (ML) project; and mitigate the risk of introducing AI and ML projects into various operations, processes and business lines.

3. GHG Reduction: Teams advance a selected ML emission reduction project to a proof-of-concept model, and upon graduation, can broadly apply new skills and knowledge in AI and ML to further increase business effectiveness in areas outside of emission reduction.

Key Program Dates

• November 4, 2020: Applications for Agricultural Program Spring 2021 open

• Rolling intake commences

• January 31, 2021: Applications close

• March 15, 2021: Program Phase 1 begins

• April 26, 2021: Program Phase 2 begins

• July 12, 2021: Program Phase 3 begins

• November 15, 2021: Program graduation

What is artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is a discipline of computing science that allows a system to complete tasks we typically associate with cognitive functions – such as reasoning, strategizing and problem-solving – without requiring an explicit solution for every variation.

Why focus on machine learning?

Machine learning is a set of computational techniques that use data to create models that make predictions about future data. These models independently learn and continuously adapt to changing environments without being explicitly programmed for the data they encounter. Machine learning is a crucial component in many artificial intelligence systems.

Industry is particularly interested in adopting applied machine learning, and investing in advanced research in the field, because of the focus on using historical data to inform future opportunities for systems improvement, discoveries, and augmenting human-cognitive capacity.

About TIER

TIER is an improved way to manage emissions from large industries like oil sands operations and electricity producers, which account for about 65 percent of Alberta's total greenhouse gas emissions. The system encourages industrial facilities to find innovative ways to reduce emissions and invest in clean technology to stay competitive. While TIER protects large industrial emitters and opted-in small oil and gas operators, regulated facilities can comply with the regulation by paying $30 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted. This is allocated to a TIER compliance fund, which is then used to fund projects to reduce emissions.

Economic recovery through emissions reduction

Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a bold, ambitious long-term strategy to build, diversify, and create tens of thousands of jobs now. By building schools, roads and other core infrastructure, we are benefiting our communities. By diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth. Alberta came together to save lives by flattening the curve and now we must do the same to protect livelihoods, grow and thrive.

As part of the Government of Alberta’s TIER Program, part of the Ministry of Environment and Parks, Amii was awarded $5 million over 2.5 years to enhance emissions reduction efforts in Alberta.

In addition to reducing GHG emissions and the continued growth of our region’s AI knowledge and utilization, the project will also have a considerable economic impact. Anticipated impacts include:

• 2 Mt CO2 equivalents reduction in GHG Emissions by 2030

• $110M new economic activity including gains from environmental efficiency, new jobs and business process efficiency by 2025

• 10 - 15 AI projects within companies focused on emissions reduction by 2022

• 10 AI solutions implemented by companies by 2022

• 600+ Albertans trained in both business and technical aspects of AI for GHG emissions by 2022

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 capacity 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.