[northlands]

Commercializing AI about more than tech transfer, Amii execs say

Canada was the first country in the world to have an AI strategy, and Edmonton has been central to it through the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). But some critics say the strategy has focused too much on research and not enough on commercialization.

edmonton.taproot.news

I really don't want to crap on Amii or anyone in particular, but has anyone else noticed it seems like there's this sort of inner circle of folks who just cycle through these sort of firms here in Edmonton? The VP Product for Amii interviewed worked previously for Edm Economic Development Corporation and Innovate Edmonton. Looking at some other profiles of higher mgmt at Amii, it's a lot of people who previously worked for EEDC, Start-up Edmonton, Innovate Edmonton, Explore Edmonton, Alberta Innovates, etc.

I get there's a lot of crossover between those companies that feed into Amii (I guess?) and I respect them obviously wanting to hire a lot of local talent, but the performance of pretty much all of those aforementioned firms has been at best mediocre. I just do not want to see Amii falling to the same fate.

 

[channing76]

Some big industrial projects in the Edmonton area, getting us back to our glorious blue collar roots.

 

[occidentalcapital]

Some big industrial projects in the Edmonton area, getting us back to our glorious blue collar roots.

The larger trends of western economies moving away from globalized supply chains and the "re-industrializing" of North America are starting to play out favorably for Edmonton, which has always had a decent manufacturing base (but hollowed out to an extent, up to now).

 

[IanO]

• Imperial Oil, the second-largest integrated oil company in Canada, is moving forward with plans to build a $720-million renewable diesel facility at its Strathcona refinery. The project, which was first announced in August 2021, is expected to be complete in 2025. It will be the largest facility of its kind in Canada and produce 20,000 barrels of renewable diesel per day. Building the facility will create about 600 construction jobs, the company said. - Taproot

 

[TAS]

• Imperial Oil, the second-largest integrated oil company in Canada, is moving forward with plans to build a $720-million renewable diesel facility at its Strathcona refinery. The project, which was first announced in August 2021, is expected to be complete in 2025. It will be the largest facility of its kind in Canada and produce 20,000 barrels of renewable diesel per day. Building the facility will create about 600 construction jobs, the company said. - Taproot

 

[TAS]

Nice to have these investments to support our economy and also reduce impact on climate and health. I feel bad for people who have to work around petroleum diesel- it is nasty.

My dad passed away several years ago from lung cancer and of course that was one of the first questions they asked him when he was diagnosed.

For the record from cancer society:
Several studies of workers exposed to diesel exhaust have shown small but significant increases in risk of lung cancer.

 

[TAS]

I love how the Air Products hydrogen facility to be built in Edmonton will directly support the Imperial Oil renewable diesel facility and how a major customer in BC is already solidified.

'Win for the region': Jobs, investment on tap as Imperial Oil commits to $720-million Strathcona County renewable diesel facility

Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank is thrilled that Imperial Oil is constructing a $720-million renewable diesel facility just east of Edmonton.

www.google.com

"The company’s news release said Imperial is developing agreements with third parties for the feedstock supply, and working with Air Products, a Pennsylvania company constructing a facility near Edmonton, to provide the hydrogen.

Imperial intends to supply British Columbia with a “significant portion” of the renewable diesel produced at the facility to support that province’s plan to lower carbon emissions.

 

[MacLac]

Alberta government commits $80M to develop and manufacture vaccines | Globalnews.ca

Premier Jason Kenney says the money will address a need for vaccines that fight viruses such as COVID-19 and also support the broader pharmaceutical and life sciences sector.

globalnews.ca

This is the only thing I could find on the Kenney pharmaceutical / COVID manufacturing announcement from 2021. The article is merely a funding announcement for research, but I recall there was supposed to be some of manufacturing plant built at the Edmonton Research park.

Alberta asking for proposals to build its own vaccine manufacturing industry: Economy minister

There are a number of factors to consider, Schweitzer said, including trade agreements, how many organizations might have an interest and where the government might…

nationalpost.com

 

[occidentalcapital]

Did You Know? Edmonton Metropolitan Region Tech-Financing Update: 2022

We update you annually on tech financing in the Edmonton region. In 2022, $445 billion was invested in this sector.

edmontonglobal.ca

 

[Avenuer]

Alberta government commits $80M to develop and manufacture vaccines | Globalnews.ca

Premier Jason Kenney says the money will address a need for vaccines that fight viruses such as COVID-19 and also support the broader pharmaceutical and life sciences sector.

globalnews.ca

This is the only thing I could find on the Kenney pharmaceutical / COVID manufacturing announcement from 2021. The article is merely a funding announcement for research, but I recall there was supposed to be some of manufacturing plant built at the Edmonton Research park.

Alberta asking for proposals to build its own vaccine manufacturing industry: Economy minister

There are a number of factors to consider, Schweitzer said, including trade agreements, how many organizations might have an interest and where the government might…

nationalpost.com

Thanks for the reminder, I completely forgot about this announcement.

 

[MacLac]

Thanks for the reminder, I completely forgot about this announcement.

Her Royal worhsipfullness Smith probably kaiboshed it all without an announcement. Kinda like how Kenney squashed the MEGA LAB on the South Campus - but at least he had the cajones to tell us.

 

[occidentalcapital]

Invest Alberta working on small nuclear reactors

X-energy Canada and Invest Alberta Collaborate to Develop Economic Opportunities in Support of Potential Xe-100 SMR Projects

X-Energy Canada, Inc. (“X-energy Canada”), a subsidiary of X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC (“X-energy” or the “Company”), a leading developer of advance

www.businesswire.com

 

[Gronk!]

Feds announce $500M contract with Edmonton company for green electricity

The Government of Canada has partnered with two major energy providers in Western Canada on renewable energy projects.

edmonton.ctvnews.ca

 

[occidentalcapital]

Air Products will be opening an Edmonton office, 40 staff to start

Air Products Opens New Offices in New York State and Alberta, Canada

/PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) today announced plans to broaden its Americas presence by establishing two new Project Delivery offices in Edmonton,...

www.prnewswire.com

 

[MacLac]

500 employees? How many in YEG and where?