How Upper Bound is nurturing Canada’s AI ecosystem

As artificial intelligence shifts from a specialized field of study into a global engine for transformation, the conversation is no longer just about the "what,"it’s about the "how." Canada is in a unique position: we possess world-class research, yet we face a critical gap in literacy and adoption that threatens our competitive edge.

In a series of recent features in The Globe & Mail, Amii’s leadership team explored how we are bridging the gap between frontier science and real-world impact. From our sold-out Upper Bound conference, to the C-suite, and to business training, the message is clear: AI is not something happening to us, it is a tool for us to leverage.

Upper Bound is where Amii welcomes a global AI community. We want to empower people to have a shared language so they can have discussions about AI and frontier science from a place where they feel informed.

Stephanie Enders

Chief Delivery Officer

A Fertile Ground for Creative Collisions

The evolution of Upper Bound, Canada’s fastest-growing AI event, reflects the expansion of the entire tech ecosystem. As Marlene McNaughton, Amii's Chief Revenue Officer, and Stephanie Enders, Chief Delivery Officer, explain the conference has moved beyond its academic roots to become a hub for a cross-pollination of ideas, research, and industry. With over 200 sessions categorized by technical proficiency, it creates a rare space for "creative collisions" between leading researchers and business executives, with organizations now sending entire cross-functional teams.

This year’s event also serves as a culmination of training for participants from Amii’s current AI Workforce Readiness program and the AI Pathways initiative, offering an immersive environment to finalize their training. With the event just one month away, Upper Bound 2026 is on track to be the largest gathering yet.

Read the full feature

The Executive Mandate

Failing Fast to Win Big

While Canadian businesses have been cautious, Amii CEO Cam Linke notes an encouraging uptick in C-suite interest in adopting AI. However, the path to success isn't always linear. Linke argues that the 80% failure rate often cited for AI projects isn't a deterrent; it’s part of the process. The most successful companies "fail their way to success" by attempting ambitious projects and learning lessons along the way. For leaders, the goal is strategic alignment: ensuring AI investments aren't just lab-bound proofs of concept but tied directly to core business objectives.

Read Cam's full article

Building Literacy from the Ground Up

Amii’s Chief Delivery Officer, Stephanie Enders, highlights that for AI to drive progress, "a new kind of literacy is required." AI shouldn't override human expertise; it should amplify it. Through initiatives like Upper Bound, Amii is fostering a shared language across sectors—bringing together researchers, energy workers, and students. By democratizing access to AI knowledge, we ensure that everyone—from small business owners to nurses—has a voice in how this technology shapes our society.

As Upper Bound marks five years of planting the seeds of change, it continues to prove that the most significant breakthroughs happen when researchers, business leaders, and the public sector occupy the same collaborative space.

Read Steph's full article