COVID-19 — Scale AI snaps into action and funds 8 projects to help Canada weather the crisis

And the community was not lacking in ideas, with more than 120 projects submitted in just three weeks. Eight of them have already passed all the stages of analysis and approval, and are being announced today, representing a total investment of over $3.4M.

“Our government is mobilizing its resources in the fight against COVID-19, and it’s great to see Industry doing its part. I’m proud of the superclusters, including Scale AI, for stepping up to leverage their broad membership and Canada’s strong industrial base to confront COVID-19. Together, we will protect the health and safety of all Canadians” – Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

“To face the crisis, we have implemented an exceptional program aimed at developing and financing relevant and effective projects very quickly.”

— Julien Billot, CEO of Scale AI

Hélène Desmarais, Co-Chair of the Scale AI Board of Directors, adds, “The mission of Scale AI is to support Canada’s prosperity and growth. Responding in times of crisis is self-evident and it is in this spirit that we have mobilized our team to participate in the national effort to respond to the challenges posed by the pandemic. While agility is crucial, these projects also demonstrate that AI is a reality today, with solutions that can be deployed quickly.”

8 projects representing a total investment of more than $3.4M

The projects being supported are integrated into the various axes of intervention of Scale AI, with projects developed by industry and others involving research, as well as an initiative relating to the acceleration of start-ups.

Optimization of the distribution of diagnostic tests for COVID-19
Company: Roche Diagnostics, division of Hoffmann-La Roche Limited

Intelligent digital assistance system
Company: Careteam Technologies & FleetOps

Rapid distribution capacity of essential cargo
Company: The Montreal Port Authority and CargoM

Response to the COVID-19 crisis for home care
Company: AlayaCare

Access to resources on COVID-19 through a chatbot
Company: Dialogue Technologies

Strengthening deep learning in the search for effective antiviral molecules against COVID-19
Company: Mila

Digital framework for clinical trials for accelerated evaluation of a new COVID-19 treatment based on colchicine
Company: Montreal Heart Institute

CDL recovery program
Company: Creative Destruction Lab

Other projects will be announced shortly.

See press release