Ontario’s AI ecosystem 2024-25 Infographic

The state of the province’s AI ecosystem

Since 2020, the Vector Institute has produced snapshots of Ontario’s AI ecosystem based on survey data and with support from Deloitte Canada. This year’s snapshot (covering April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025) tracks 10 metrics on topics such as AI job creation, investment, and commercialization. These metrics provide a means of gauging the progress that governments, businesses, and institutions are making to build a stronger AI ecosystem in Ontario.

 

1. Talent & Job Market

A. AI Job Creation

Ontario AI job creation has risen sharply from 2019-20 to 2025

  1. Total AI jobs created in 2025: 17,196
    • 101% year-over-year growth
    • 367% growth from 2019-20
  2. Total AI jobs retained in 2025: 39,327
    • 8% year-over-year growth
    • 143% growth from 2019-20

B. Well-Paying AI Jobs

Ontario is creating more well-paying AI jobs, with 5,605 well-paying jobs ($85,000+) for highly qualified professionals (HQPs¹) graduated from AI-related programs in Ontario².

  • Growth: 26% year-over-year, 250% from 2019-20

¹ HQPs refers to individuals with university degrees at the bachelor’s level and above.

² This year we tracked using a different methodology in 2022-23. YoY comparisons to 2022-23 would not be valid as a result.

 

2. Investments in Education & Business

A. $2.6 billion VC investment in Ontario AI (breakdown by sector)

  • Financial services: $540 million
  • Energy: $209 million
  • Manufacturing: $111 million
  • Agriculture: $19 million

B. Companies Investing in Ontario AI

  • Total companies: 413
  • 8% year-over-year growth
  • 149% growth from 2019-20

C. 242 patents granted to Canadian inventors

  • 10% year-over-year growth

D. Research & Development Investment

  • Total R&D investment in Ontario-based AI: $8+ billion since 2019-20 — but recent investment has fallen 36% year-over-year

 

3. Market Size & Adoption

A. AI Company Creation and Relocation

  1. 70 New AI Companies established in Ontario
    • 312% year-over-year growth
    • 119% growth from 2019-20
  2. 27 AI companies relocated to Ontario
    • 93% year-over-year growth
    • 125% growth from 2019-20

B. AI Strategy Adoption

  1. 70% of surveyed Ontario companies with a vision to sell or use AI have done so successfully
    • 17% growth from 2019-20
  2. 51% of those firms have an enterprise-wide AI strategy
    • Up from 44% in 2019-20

C. Total VC Investment

  • $2.6 billion in VC investment in Ontario-based AI companies
    • 69% year-over-year growth

 

4. Credits

  • Vector Institute
  • Deloitte

Disclaimer: This infographic is for informational purposes only. Vector Institute provides no professional advice, opinion, or services herein. All rights are reserved. © The Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence.