Alberta isn’t just on the global AI stage; we’re leading it, and a recent ranking serves as strong validation. The University of Alberta has been recognized as the #1 university in Canada and #53 globally for artificial intelligence in the U.S. News 2025-2026 Best Global Universities Rankings. The ranking assessed the research strength and academic reputation of 2250 institutions worldwide, and is a testament to a deep-rooted commitment to AI, driven significantly by key collaborative efforts by Amii and the University of Alberta.
The achievement is evidence that the foundational AI advancements happening in Alberta are making a world-leading impact. "This recognition highlights Amii’s vital role in the fundamental AI advancements made by our researchers at the University of Alberta,” says Cam Linke, Amii CEO. “We're proud to work with the U of A to advance AI in the world's most impactful areas, solidifying Alberta as a global leader in AI science and its practical uses. This success speaks volumes about the early and significant investment in AI within Alberta and the ambitious work we continue to do."
Deepening Research Capacity and Attracting Top Talent
Amii's dedication to fostering world-class AI talent is evident in its growing research capacity. The institute proudly supports 29 CIFAR AI Chairs and 13 Fellows at the University of Alberta. This exceptional group includes visionaries such as a Turing Laureate, five CAICA Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, a TED Talk Fellow, and many other esteemed researchers. This collective of world-leading scientists serves as a powerful magnet, attracting top AI talent from around the globe to pursue their ambitious research right here in Alberta.
The commitment extends beyond attracting existing talent. In 2023, Amii strategically invested $30 million into the University of Alberta, launching a global recruitment initiative for 20 new AI researchers. To date, 13 new researchers have been successfully hired and are establishing their labs at the U of A. These new additions are pioneering interdisciplinary research in crucial domains where AI can drive transformative change, including AI + Space, AI + Chemistry, AI + Healthcare, and AI + Ethics & Privacy, with more exciting areas on the horizon.
From Research to Real-World Impact
A cornerstone of Amii’s ecosystem is its dedication to nurturing the next generation of innovators and learners. Amii, in partnership with the U of A, launched the AI Everywhere course in 2023. This landmark 3-credit course, offered to all undergraduate students across all disciplines, is the first of its kind for a top 100 university. Developed by Amii Fellows and U of A researchers Alona Fyshe and Adam White, the course ensures that future leaders, regardless of their field, possess the essential AI literacy skills needed for an evolving workforce.
The impact of Alberta's AI leadership isn't confined to research labs; it’s making a tangible difference in the real world. Amii researchers are at the forefront of transforming their groundbreaking work into practical applications and new ventures. For instance, Amii Fellow Martha White co-founded RL Core Technologies to optimize clean water systems using reinforcement learning – a clear illustration of research solving real-world problems. This dedication to applied innovation has generated over $1.5 billion in venture capital from Amii-affiliated startups. By leveraging AI for everything from reducing pipeline emissions to administrative relief in healthcare with an AI-Scribe, these innovations are not just driving efficiency and creating space for human-centric work; they are forming the bedrock of new industries and robust economic growth.
The recognition is a clear signal that Alberta is a leader in AI. Through strategic investment and a relentless focus on both fundamental research and real-world application, Amii, as a key collaborator with the University of Alberta, has established an ecosystem for ambitious AI endeavours where big ideas in AI are born, nurtured, and actualized to make an outsized impact.