Vector Institute
Annual Report 2024-2025
Where AI research meets real-world impact
Where do you want to begin?
A message from Vector’s Board Chair
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Ed Clark
Chair, Board of Directors, Vector Institute
In April, I had the privilege of welcoming Glenda Crisp as Vector’s new President & CEO. With her extensive experience leading data and AI transformation across major organizations, Glenda brings exactly what Vector needs at this pivotal moment.
The recognition of AI’s transformative importance has never been clearer—Canada recently appointed the world’s first Minister for AI, acknowledging that this technology will define our economic future.
Vector Institute’s unique combination of world-class AI research and practical application continues to set the standard. From Geoffrey Hinton’s 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics recognition to the hundreds of companies we’re helping deploy AI responsibly in Ontario, we’re proving that Canada can lead not just in developing AI, but in using it to create real economic value.
This moment demands we accelerate that AI leadership. We need to continue to recruit top talent with expedited pathways to Canada, build sovereign compute infrastructure for both the research community and SMEs, secure access to Canadian data assets with proper privacy controls, and govern these resources reflecting our shared values.
Countries and companies are moving fast to capture AI’s transformative potential. Canada must move faster. Vector is positioned to ensure that we do.
A message from Vector’s President & CEO
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Glenda Crisp
President & CEO, Vector Institute
It is a privilege to step in and lead the Vector Institute at a time when Canada’s AI leadership is translating into tangible benefits for our communities. This past year has demonstrated AI’s remarkable progress across our ecosystem.
Ontario’s foundational strength as a leading talent hub in North America is seen in our research community, which shared more than 360 papers at top global conferences, including 98 at NeurIPS 2024 alone.
But Vector is not only conducting world-class research, we’re translating it into business value. We can see this on the ground — a 101% increase in AI jobs being created in Ontario and $2.6 billion in venture capital investment in Ontario-based AI companies. These aren’t just statistics; they represent real opportunities for Canadians and concrete progress toward our shared vision of putting AI to work for everyone.
What excites me most is the collaborative spirit that drives these achievements. Whether it’s our four new Vector Faculty Members bringing fresh perspectives, welcoming Unilever to our community of industry sponsors, supporting early-stage companies that are developing AI-driven health solutions, or training the next generation of AI talent, we’re building an AI ecosystem where foundational research meets practical application.
This report details these stories and more. Together, we are proving Canada’s leadership in AI.
Still, there is much work to be done. For all our successes, Canada is still falling short on adoption and compute power. Only with decisive action will we be able to translate our research advantage into long-term gains in productivity, competitiveness, and growth.
Now is the time to roll up our sleeves, dig in, and let only our ambitions confine us. Let’s build a future where AI’s benefits are shared by all.
Benchmarking progress: Ontario’s AI ecosystem by the numbers
Each year, the Vector Institute produces a snapshot of the Ontario AI ecosystem, which is done in partnership with Deloitte Canada. Based on a combination of executive-level surveys and validated through industry databases and public sources, the report captures key economic indicators that benchmark the collective progress of governments, businesses, and institutions in strengthening Ontario’s AI ecosystem.
This year’s data (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025) confirms that the province’s AI sector has grown significantly, cementing Ontario’s position as a leading global AI hub. Buoyed by its remarkable concentration of AI talent, the AI sector is attracting major investments and creating well-paying jobs that directly support economic growth. To maintain this momentum, the sector needs to ensure leadership in other key areas by increasing AI R&D investment and stepping up the rate of adoption.
“Canada ranks first among G7 countries in AI talent growth due in large measure to Ontario’s strong and growing concentration of AI experts. The data indicates that Ontario is becoming a powerful draw for AI companies and investment, providing a direct boost to our economy.”
Glenda Crisp
President & CEO, Vector Institute
Where AI research meets real-world impact
The Vector Institute is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and leading industry sponsors from across the Canadian economy.
