Grant: College and Community Innovation Program

Durham College is proposing to advance the capacity of its Hub for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligencefor Business Solutions (the AI Hub). Artificial intelligence, in its many applications, is transforming howmanagement decisions are made, products are developed, services are delivered, and customer engagementoccurs. Training of artificial intelligence systems is replacing programming and intelligence-based productsand services are rapidly becoming the expected norm for consumers and business users alike. While small- andmedium-sized enterprises (SMEs) recognize the potential of artificial intelligence to improve their businesses,and the competitive requirement for adoption, many have neither the resources nor expertise to achieve theirdesired goals. Durham College's AI Hub will bridge this gap and strengthen local and regional economicperformance by collaborating with SMEs from across Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area to plan,develop, and implement state-of-the-art artificial intelligence systems and practices into business solutions. TheAI Hub will assist SMEs to create products, solutions, and processes that have commercial value and enableindustry partners to scale, compete, grow revenue, and expand their workforce through artificialintelligence-enabled systems and management practices.Durham College has a solid track record of contributing to the local and regional economy through successfulapplied research projects, and launched the AI Hub in 2017 with a provincial funding investment. With thesupport of this IE Grant, Durham College will be able to enhance the capacity of its AI Hub by engaging morefaculty, students, and industry partners in collaborative projects to improve business innovation, develop talent,and contribute to local technological advancement.3Form 103 (2011 W), page 3 of 7Second Language