Facebook launches artificial intelligence lab in Montreal

Facebook is launching an artificial intelligence research lab in Montreal.

The social media giant says it will be headed by Joelle Pineau of McGill University’s computer science department.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on hand for the announcement, along with Montreal mayor Denis Coderre and Quebec innovation minister Dominique Anglade.

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Pineau says the new partnership will allow for talented researchers to stay put in Canada.

The Montreal lab will employ 10 researchers at launch with the aim of tripling that number in the coming year.

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The city has quickly developed a concentration of expertise in the area of artificial intelligence.