The OECD.AI Policy Navigator

Our policy navigator is a living repository from more than 80 jurisdictions and organisations. Use the filters to browse initiatives and find what you are looking for.

Overview National International All initiatives

AI Assist (IRAP)

https://nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation/nrc-irap-support-smes-innovating-artificial-intelligence
Added by:   OECD analyst
Added on:   17 Jul 2026
Updated by:   OECD analyst
Updated on:   28 Jul 2026
A support programme helping SMEs adopt AI technologies (generative AI and deep learning) through advisory services and innovation support.

Initiative overview

Delivered through the National Research Council Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), AI Assist pairs SMEs with Industrial Technology Advisors and approved third-party delivery organisations to carry out feasibility work, scoping, and tailored support for AI adoption (awareness, readiness assessment, pilot projects, ethical/responsible AI considerations). IRAP provides technical advice and can connect firms to funding streams or cost-share R&D activities. The programme focuses on practical SME uptake and helps firms progress from early experimentation to product-grade deployments.

AI Tags

AI-enabling EcosystemSMEsTrustworthy AI

About the policy initiative

Canada
Canada

Category:

  • AI policy initiatives, programmes and projects

Initiative type:

  • Support for AI diffusion in firms

Status:

  • Active

Start Year:

  • 2020

Other relevant urls:

—
SOPHOS

SOPHOS

SOPHOS is an AI‑enabled language learning tool designed for use across the Government of Canada. It was first developed to support Canadian diplomats by providing adaptive training in more than 15 foreign languages aligned with the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale. The application is now being expanded to offer English and French training that meets federal official languages requirements, helping public servants across all regions access consistent, affordable learning.

Start year: 2026
Country/Organisation: Canada
Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (AI-focused projects)

Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (AI-focused projects)

A dedicated CAD 50M federal contribution programme funding sectoral organisations to develop and deliver skills training for workers in industries potentially disrupted by AI, helping them reskill and adapt to an AI-transformed labour market.

Start year: 2025
Country/Organisation: Canada
AI for Growth

AI for Growth

A CAD 174 million, three-year Canadian programme to accelerate domestic AI adoption by SMEs, delivered through Canada's National AI Institutes and Global Innovation Clusters.

Start year: 2025
Country/Organisation: Canada
AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program

AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program

The AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program is a Government of Canada initiative launched under the Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy to build a large‑scale, Canadian‑controlled public AI supercomputing system, improving access to advanced computing for researchers and innovative firms.

Start year: 2025
Country/Organisation: Canada
AI-Enabled Government Services Modernisation (Alberta) (Subnational: Alberta)

AI-Enabled Government Services Modernisation (Alberta) (Subnational: Alberta)

The Government of Alberta is deploying AI-supported tools to modernise service delivery, including secure knowledge retrieval, automated application development, and enterprise generative AI. These tools help staff respond faster, work more consistently, and improve service quality for Albertans.

Start year: 2024
Country/Organisation: Canada
AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program (AI SCIP) / Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy

AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program (AI SCIP) / Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy

Canada's flagship sovereign AI infrastructure investment, comprising three complementary streams: a CAD 705M public supercomputing facility (AI SCIP), up to CAD 700M for private-sector AI data centres (AI Compute Challenge), and CAD 200M in near-term augmentation of existing public compute infrastructure.

Start year: 2024
Country/Organisation: Canada
Canadian AI Safety Institute (CAISI Canada)

Canadian AI Safety Institute (CAISI Canada)

Canada's national AI safety body established to evaluate advanced AI models for safety risks, develop safety testing methodologies, and contribute to international AI safety coordination through the Bletchley Declaration process and the International Network of AI Safety Institutes.

Start year: 2024
Country/Organisation: Canada
Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)

Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)

A multi-regional funding programme that supports AI commercialization and adoption projects by businesses across Canada.

Start year: 2024
Country/Organisation: Canada
Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy

Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy

The Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy is a federal initiative led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, aimed at expanding access to domestic AI computing infrastructure. Announced in Budget 2024 with a CAD $2 billion commitment over five years from 2024–2025, it comprises three elements: mobilising private sector investment, building public supercomputing infrastructure, and an AI Compute Access Fund.

Start year: 2024
Country/Organisation: Canada
AI Compute Access Fund

AI Compute Access Fund

A federal programme that provides financial support and compute-credits to Canadian SMEs so they can access high-performance/cloud AI compute needed to train, test and deploy models for commercialisation.

Start year: 2024
Country/Organisation: Canada