TORONTO, REGINA — Deloitte Canada and SaskTel today announced a strategic alliance to drive the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in Saskatchewan and across Canada.
The alliance is focused on developing and launching service capabilities and facilities, such as an AI factory, designed to accelerate Canada’s sovereign AI strategy and unlock the potential of AI economic zones — designated centres offering accelerated computing and sector-specific AI solutions.
This joint venture brings together Deloitte’s leadership in AI strategy and sector knowledge with SaskTel’s network infrastructure, advanced connectivity, and Tier III data centres, according to a news release. The AI factory will deliver cost-effective AI solutions for sectors including health care, mining and agriculture.
The initiative will also expand Canada’s AI compute capacity by using SaskTel’s existing data centre assets and support the co-development of Canadian-owned intellectual property.
Through the alliance, SaskTel and Deloitte will establish a dedicated Applied AI lab in Saskatchewan. The lab will focus on research, development and innovation in partnership with academic institutions.
“Canada’s future relies on building strong, sovereign and safe AI and digital infrastructure,” said Anthony Viel, CEO of Deloitte Canada and Chile. “This alliance shows how together, Deloitte and SaskTel are enabling the application of responsible AI innovation to help secure our nation’s place as a global leader in the digital economy and to help all Canadian organizations be more competitive globally.”
“Canada is at a critical turning point in the global AI race, where the imperative to turn ambition into impact has never been greater,” said Jas Jaaj, Global AI Markets, Ecosystems & Alliances leader and managing partner of AI for Deloitte Canada. “This alliance between SaskTel and Deloitte is a tangible manifestation of the Canadian AI economic zone vision, where we’re moving beyond innovation and into deployment that delivers for Canadian industries and communities in a responsible and sustainable way.”
“The partnership between SaskTel and Deloitte is a significant step forward for Saskatchewan and highlights our government’s commitment to innovation and technology, delivering new opportunities for growth, skilled jobs and a strengthened economy,” said the Jeremy Harrison, minister responsible for SaskTel. “With SaskTel’s world-class fibre infrastructure and skilled workforce, this project has Saskatchewan poised to become a leader in the digital economy. We are excited for what the future holds and proud to be a valuable centre for next-generation technologies.”
“SaskTel is committed to driving technological advancement and fostering innovation within our province,” said Charlene Gavel, SaskTel president and CEO. “Saskatchewan is poised to lead in AI innovation and by joining forces with a technology leader like Deloitte, we are not only investing in technology, but in the future prosperity of Saskatchewan and Canada as a whole.”
