This summer, 85 women and gender-diverse participants across Canada jumpstarted their careers in artificial intelligence through the AI4Good Lab—including 20 participants hosted right here at Amii HQ.
Despite rapid advancements in machine learning, women and gender-diverse individuals remain vastly underrepresented across the tech sector. To build tools that genuinely serve everyone, we need a broader range of minds designing them.
To directly address this, each summer Amii, alongside sister institutes Mila and Vector Institute, host cohorts nationwide for the AI4Good Lab: an intensive 7-week program designed to break down entry barriers and equip participants with core machine learning skills.
This year marked a decade of the Lab. Co-founded by AI researcher Dr. Doina Precup and Angelique Mannella, the Lab was created with a clear mission to open doors for historically underrepresented groups in tech by providing opportunities to build enduring connections, and develop meaningful ML projects aimed at solving real-world challenges.
Reaching the 10-year mark for the AI4Good Lab is a testament to what happens when we intentionally invest in diverse talent. Our partnership with Mila and Vector continues to open doors across the country, and hosting the Edmonton cohort every year reinforces just how vital community-rooted training is for building an equitable tech ecosystem.
Stephanie Enders
Chief Delivery Officer, Amii & member of the AI4Good Advisory Committee.
Bootcamp at Amii HQ
The 2026 Edmonton cohort of 20 hit the ground running in the first four weeks of the program, where they tackled an intensive ML Bootcamp featuring fast-paced coding workshops and a foundational lecture from Amii Fellow and Canada CIFAR AI Chair Marlos C. Machado. Between technical deep-dives, participants gathered for coffee socials, attended Upper Bound, and engaged in timely discussions with Amii experts on AI ethics, project management, and trust and safety.
Learning also extended well beyond the classroom. Participants toured local tech labs including SamDesk and BLINC Lab to see machine learning applied in the real world. When the national AI4Good Lab cohort convened in Montreal, they visited Google DeepMind and connected directly with leading researchers.
As part of the rigorous bootcamp, participants formed teams of four to build AI-powered projects addressing specific social challenges. Past cohorts have tackled issues ranging from climate change and menopausal health to urban accessibility and neglected tropical diseases demonstrating the immense impact fresh, diverse perspectives bring to the AI landscape.
Watching the Edmonton cohort evolve over seven weeks is always a summer highlight. This year, participants arrived with raw curiosity and left as a confident, connected community poised to solve real-world problems with machine learning. Their energy and creativity inspired us from day one.
Warren Johnston, Product Owner of Talent at Amii.
The Cohorts Converge in Montreal
The national program culminated in the annual Demo Day hosted by Mila, where 14 project teams from across Canada presented working machine learning prototypes.
AI4Good Lab Projects
The Edmonton cohort brought four standout, community-focused projects to the national stage.
Furcast
Leverages length-of-stay data from shelters across Canada to predict animal outcomes and provide staff with immediate, data-driven next steps.
Vital Byte
Simplifies senior health by translating complex blood work results into personalized, budget-friendly meal plans and accessible grocery lists.
FEEDS
A predictive forecasting tool that helps food banks anticipate demand spikes to ensure vital community services are proactively prepared. The FEEDS team received the Accelerator Award, which recognizes AI projects that demonstrate strong potential for social impact, innovation, and readiness for real-world application.
Rebuildr
Uses AI to parse complex insurance and claims documents, helping individuals navigate the difficult recovery process after natural disasters.
I feel like our final project Furcast was a beautiful testament to our group’s shared passion, skill, and friendship. I consider myself so blessed that I got to be surrounded by such kind and driven women and people. The feeling of being able to not only pursue but complete a passion project with like-minded people is something I really can’t put into words.
Autumn McFetridge, Edmonton AI4Good Lab participant (2026).
Building an Inclusive AI Future Together
A decade in, the AI4Good Lab continues to demonstrate that when you remove structural hurdles and invest in diverse perspectives, the entire machine learning community wins.
The Edmonton cohort will continue to develop their skills through Amii’s AI Career Accelerator program (AICAP) where they will progress their professional development and accelerate their emerging careers in AI.
Amii congratulates all 85 participants across Canada, with a special nod to our 20 Edmonton participants who brought so much energy and vision to Amii HQ this summer.
Interested in joining a future cohort or supporting the AI4Good Lab at Amii? Applications for the 2027 cohort will open in Fall 2027. Learn more here: https://www.ai4goodlab.com/