If you’re into tech, you probably know that Western Canada is a hot spot for the IT industry. Organizations like Amii ( Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) have been developing, promoting and educating organizations on Artificial Intelligence for years. Fortinet, a global leader in Cybersecurity Solutions is opening a large office center in Calgary focusing on training, testing and development. So what is so hot in Western Canada specifically? Lets review a few of the hot topics:
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the awesome technology that makes machines do things that usually need human brains, like thinking, learning, making decisions, and talking. AI has tons of uses in different areas, like health care, education, finance, and entertainment. In western Canada, AI is a big deal, as many startups, research institutes, and big companies are creating and using AI solutions. For example, Alberta is where the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII) is, and that’s one of the top AI research centers in the world. They also have the Alberta AI Business Plan, which is a plan to make the province a world leader in AI. How cool is that? British Columbia is also a place where AI rocks, with companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google having AI labs in Vancouver, and the University of British Columbia having the Vector Institute, a national AI research center.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is the practice of keeping networks, systems, devices, and data safe from bad guys who want to hack, attack, or damage them. Cybersecurity is super important for the IT industry, as it protects the users, customers, and businesses who rely on them. Cybersecurity is also a big challenge, as cyber threats get more clever, frequent, and expensive. In western Canada, cybersecurity is a top priority for both the public and private sectors, as they try to boost their cyber skills and defenses. For example, the Government of Canada has started the CyberSecure Canada program, which is a certification program that helps small and medium-sized businesses improve their cybersecurity habits. Also, western Canada has a lively cybersecurity community, with groups like the BC Cybersecurity Network, the Cybersecurity Innovation Centre, and the Cybersecurity Talent Alliance, that support cybersecurity research, education, and cooperation.
Blockchain
Blockchain is a technology that keeps track and verifies transactions in a secure, transparent, and decentralized way. Blockchain has a lot of potential uses in different industries, like finance, supply chain, health care, and energy. Blockchain is also a game-changer, as it challenges the traditional ways of trusting, governing, and exchanging value. In western Canada, blockchain is a hot topic, as the region has a dynamic blockchain community and ecosystem. For example, Vancouver is where Ethereum was born, and that’s the second-biggest blockchain platform in the world. It’s also where the Blockchain@UBC is, and that’s a group of researchers from different fields who study the social and technical aspects of blockchain. Similarly, Edmonton is where the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA) is, and that’s a global group of organizations that make standards and solutions for the Ethereum blockchain.
Start Ups
Western Canada is the home of many technology start ups. Here is a list of just a few:
- My Eforce: patent-pending software analyzes individual location & vital signs in real-time directly from the world’s best smartwatches.
- Attabotics: A robotics company that provides a 3D automated storage and retrieval system for warehouses and e-commerce fulfillment.
- Neo Financial: A fintech company that offers a digital banking platform with a rewards-based credit card and a high-interest savings account.
- Symend: A customer engagement platform that uses behavioral science and data analytics to help businesses reduce customer churn and increase loyalty.
- ShareSmart: A medtech company that provides a secure and compliant mobile app for health professionals to communicate and collaborate with their peers and patients.
- Jobber: A software company that provides a cloud-based platform for home service businesses to manage their operations, scheduling, invoicing, and customer relationships.
These topics are not only cool for the IT sector, but also for society and economy in general, as they create new opportunities, challenges, and impacts. As a result, western Canada is becoming a leading IT destination, attracting talent, investment, and innovation.
