artificial intelligence Archives - Polytechnics Canada

AI-Driven Advanced Manufacturing

By Dr. Ethan Shen, Dr. El Sayed Mahmoud, Madushen Paramanathan | June 8, 2026 | 1014.6KB | Download pdf >

Polytechnics are key to bridging industrial needs with cutting-edge research and talent development in Canada’s manufacturing sector. Sheridan’s session at the 2026 Polytechnic Showcase, Bridging the Productivity Gap: Scalable AI-Robotics Integration through Collaboration, highlighted how AI-driven automation can resolve production bottlenecks while training the next generation of engineers.

Polytechnics Canada connected with Dr. Ethan Shen, Research Manager, Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing, Dr. El Sayed Mahmoud, Professor of Computer Science, and Madushen Paramanathan, Student Research Assistant, to learn more about the polytechnic-industry partnership between Sheridan and Rex Power Magnetics.

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Canada’s Dual-use and Defence Research Needs: Submission to the Standing Committee on Science and Research

June 4, 2026 | 1.34MB | Download pdf >

National defence, industrial capacity and innovation policy are increasingly connected. New federal commitments aim to capitalize on an investment in defence to build a stronger R&D ecosystem, drive domestic production and create opportunities to grow exports while supporting Canadian jobs. The opportunity is significant, but so is the challenge – Canada must overcome weak business innovation, lagging productivity and a persistent gap between discovery research strengths and lagging real-world adoption.

Polytechnics Canada’s recommendations include:

Organize defence research under the Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science around a clear pathway from operational need to validated capability
Mobilize federal research funding by enabling equality of access for polytechnics and universities
Ensure the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program’s (NRC IRAP) Defence Industry Assist includes a structured defence-readiness and onboarding pathway for small- and medium-sized businesses

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Delivering on Canada’s Ambitions: Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance

May 26, 2026 | 1.12MB | Download pdf >

Canada is entering a period that will be defined by its ability to deliver on national priorities. Significant federal investments in housing, infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI) and defence set an ambitious course for the country’s future. The challenge will be to activate capacity in every corner of Canada to ensure investments translate into tangible outcomes.

Polytechnics Canada’s recommendations include:

Invest $100 million per year to support Applied AI Research Grants
Implement a $10 million per year research security framework for polytechnics and colleges
Mobilize post-secondary capacity to meet national defence needs
Establish a Train Canada Strong Pass for rapid skills development
Eliminate apprentice waitlists by scaling capacity at Canada’s largest trainers

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Advancing Defence Innovation in Canada

By Dr. Terry Peckham | May 18, 2026 | 456.69KB | Download pdf >

Polytechnics help advance defence innovation in Canada by translating strategy into action: developing skilled talent, validating technologies and strengthening industry readiness for real-world deployment. As a NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) test centre, Saskatchewan Polytechnic is one of many polytechnics advancing Canada’s contribution to allied defence innovation.

Looking back on the 2026 Polytechnic Showcase, Polytechnics Canada spoke with Dr. Terry Peckham, Director and Research Chair of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Digital Integration Centre of Excellence (DICE). Read to learn more about how the institution is strengthening Canada’s role in defence innovation.

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Program Preview: Drones as Dual-use Technologies

By Justin Perry, Dr. Eric Saczuk | April 28, 2026 | 948.67KB | Download pdf >

Polytechnics are playing a growing role in developing drones as dual-use technologies for interdisciplinary applications, such as wildfire response and environmental stewardship. Ahead of the 2026 Polytechnic Showcase, Polytechnics Canada connected with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to discuss their session, From Detection to Containment: Drones in Modern Wildfire Response, highlighting the expanding role of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

Dr. Eric Saczuk, Director, BCIT RPAS Hub, and Justin Perry, Instructor, Forest & Natural Areas Management, recently shared how BCIT is responding to Canada’s environmental challenges.

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Program Preview: Navigating Artificial Intelligence Responsibly

By Dr. Panos Panagiotakopoulos, Kent Peel | April 28, 2026 | 667.25KB | Download pdf >

As the 2026 Polytechnic Showcase approaches, we connected with Seneca Polytechnic to discuss their session, Supporting Students and Faculty in the Age of AI: Seneca’s Playbook for Practical, Responsible Adoption. Polytechnics Canada spoke with AI Thought Leaders, Dr. Panos Panagiotakopoulos and Kent Peel, about how Seneca is helping students and faculty navigate artificial intelligence (AI) in practical and responsible ways.

Why hasn’t AI changed Canada yet?

By Ricardo Arena | January 15, 2025 | Originally featured in The Hill Times

Much has been written about Canada’s lagging innovation and productivity indicators. The federal government has struggled to offer effective solutions, alternating between big gambles on select sectors and splashy announcements that end with a fizzle.

Last month, however, Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne quietly put out a press release detailing plans to allocate the Budget 2024 centrepiece: a $2-billion investment in artificial intelligence (AI). It signaled a welcome shift toward incorporating implementation and impact in Canada’s innovation ambitions.