The new appointments include researchers developing machine-learning models and techniques, as well as the regulation of the technology and its potential applications in health care. Those selected are based at the University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, McMaster University, McGill University, Université de Montréal and University of Waterloo. (The Logic)

Talking point: Also on Thursday, CIFAR and the Toronto-based Vector Institute re-upped seven existing research chairs for another five years, the first renewals under the second instalment of the federal government’s Pan-Canadian AI Strategy. Ottawa extended the program in the April 2021 budget, setting aside $162.2 million of the $443.8 million total to attract and keep academics. The original edition focused solely on recruiting researchers. While CIFAR administers that portion of the program, the professors are each affiliated with either Vector, Edmonton-based Amii or Montreal-based Mila. Some innovation economy executives have expressed concern that too much of the benefit of a researcher-first approach will flow to foreign firms who hire them. But AI strategy stakeholders argue it’s training plenty of talent to go around.