Since 2020, Vector Institute has produced an annual snapshot of Ontario’s AI ecosystem to gauge the progress that governments, businesses, and institutions are making to strengthen this ecosystem.
We’ve just released the 2025-26 snapshot. Here are some highlights:
- 121 new AI companies established in Ontario (up 73% YoY)
- 38 AI companies relocated to the province (up 41%)
- 75% of surveyed Ontario companies were able to execute on their vision of selling or using AI in their business
- 52% of Ontario firms say they have, or are considering, an enterprise-wide AI strategy
- Broadening AI adoption helped drive an increase in the number of non-technical jobs requiring AI skills (71,167, up 61%)
- Technical AI roles focused on building core technologies declined, with 23,305 AI jobs retained and 5,813 new AI jobs created
- 40% of new AI jobs are considered well-paying jobs ($85,000+) for highly qualified AI professionals
- $3.9 billion in private VC investment into Ontario AI (up 50%)
- 484 companies invested in Ontario-based AI companies (up 17%)
- AI R&D funding softened to $796 million
- 257 AI patents were granted to inventors in Canada.
Read our full infographic on the state of Ontario’s AI ecosystem. Click here to view in English and here to view in French.
