Montréal, the next global hub for AI for health
Greater Montréal has become more attractive to companies that want to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to develop their healthcare projects. You can read more about this in a La Presse article published on September 16, 2021.
Heather Kirkby, Chief People Officer at biotechnology company Recursion Pharmaceuticals, points to the quality of the talent pool, notably in AI and machine learning, which makes Montréal a key destination in the AI for health industry. With Montréal International’s support, Recursion Pharmaceuticals opened an office this year in Mila’s space to collaborate with the local AI ecosystem, thus ensuring its long-term success.
In 2020, the local ecosystem had nearly 20,000 workers skilled in AI technologies. This number represents a 22% hike in only one year, according to a Montréal International analysis.
The AI boom is quite notable in the life sciences and health technologies field as players like Recursion Pharmaceuticals are staking on Montréal’s innovation to advance research and the design of new pharmacological solutions. Moreover, efforts are being stepped up to attract foreign companies in the AI for health field to Québec, according to Stéphanie Doyle, Director, Business Development, Life Sciences & Health Technologies, at Montréal International.
“We expect to bring in $4 billion in private investment by 2022, which would make Québec one of five North American life sciences hubs by 2027.” – La Presse, September 16, 2021.
Since 2019, several multinationals in the life sciences and health technologies sector, such as Roche, Novartis and Servier, have chosen Montréal to conduct R&D in AI.
For more details, refer to our AI for health industry profile or contact our specialist.