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Centre launches program to help local businesses adopt to AI

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Small businesses across Northwestern Ontario are getting a chance to learn how to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations.

The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) in Thunder Bay has launched a new AI training and funding program that offers entrepreneurs comprehensive and hands-on training.

The Building Blueprints for AI Adoption (BBAA) program is a structured five-session workshop series that focuses on five key topics.

“It’s an application process that we’re meeting with companies and looking at eligibility,” says James Ellard, senior business advisor of marketing with NOIC, adding interested companies can apply by booking a free BBAA consultation. “We are only allowing so many companies into it so it is exclusive.”

For companies that are eligible to participate, they will have access to training that is valued at $5,000 for the discounted price of $150.

The workshop-based program, which begins in February, aims to help regional businesses uncover opportunities and plans for AI integration including learning how to design marketing campaigns, how to sell using chatbots and other AI-powered incentives.

It will also teach business owners how to streamline operations by automating administrative tasks, managing files and organizing meeting notes to enhance efficiency.

“If a company is new to AI or has been dabbling, this really gets into a lot of the nitty gritty details,” says Ellard.

The end goal of the program is ensure participants can create a practical AI adoption plan tailored to their business. In additin, once those businesses form that plan, they can apply for up to $20,000 in funding to put it into action.

“The training is great in itself and it’s a great deal,” says Ellard, noting “It allows them to leverage that money (to) really execute and implement those AI initatives that are really going to help out their company create those efficiencies and really compete with other companies outside of our region that they normally couldn’t.”

NOIC was established in 1999 in Thunder Bay to support information technology start-ups in the region. It has since expanded to encompass all forms of innovation with an office in Kenora opened in 2019.

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Summer Learning Programs Supported

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The Ontario government is looking to improve student math skills.

It’s providing $6.6 million dollars to continue a Summer Learning Program which provides additional learning during the summer in both numeracy and literacy to students who enroll.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the program is effective.

“These programs are designed to minimize summer learning loss for students as well as to build confidence develop skills and increase excitement in the subject,” says Lecce.

The Rainy River District School Board is currently running its program at Robert Moore School this month.

Lecce says they are also setting up a virtual “Math at Home” program.

He says this will allow students to brush up on their math skills at home anytime.

“Math at home will also ensure that parents are aware of opportunities to better prepare their child for success as they transition to the next grade.”