**Challenge Launch**November 11, 2024**Challenge Deadline**December 10, 2024**Available** **Funding** Up to $500,000 2:1 match from applicant **Timeline**Maximum project duration of up to 1 year **Eligible Sectors**- Advanced Manufacturing (non-auto) - Agri-Food - Construction - Mining **Eligible Technologies**- Artificial Intelligence - Solutions incorporating additional Critical Technologies below are eligible and encouraged, provided they are seamlessly integrated with the AI- driven solution. These technologies should enhance and extend the AI functionality proposed. - 5G & Advanced Networks - Blockchain - Cybersecurity - Quantum - Robotics **Challenge Info Webinar**- Wednesday November 20th 2024 at 11:00 AM - [**Register**](https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/11abf295-4052-4321-83e5-d890b43bafb2%4011eccf07-bfca-427e-aab9-cb6d5987d84e) **Challenge Statement**As AI continues to drive the next wave of industrial transformation, Ontario’s Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Construction, and Mining sectors are uniquely positioned to benefit from innovative, AI-driven applications. This challenge invites Ontario-based SMEs to lead AI-based consortia projects thatapply cutting-edge techniques to enhance and transform sector-specific processes, create game changing operational efficiencies, and encourage adoption of a new approach across the industry. We seek projects that employ advanced AI applications, with a clear focuson scalability, real-world deployment, and sector-wide impact that breaks current status quo. **Key Projects**Key Projects should focus on sector transforming AI-driven technologies with high commercial viability, including but not limited to: **Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning,** providing a new approach to enhancing decision- making, forecasting supply and demand, reducing downtime, and optimizing production cycles. **Computer Vision** for transforming the automation of quality control, monitoring safety and compliance on worksites **Natural Language Processing and AI-Enhanced Robotics** for revolutionizing the streamlining of logistics and robotic automation of repetitive or high-risk tasks. **Generative AI and Advanced Modeling** providing a new approach to rapid prototyping, creating digital twins, and supporting lifecycle planning and reducing waste **Autonomous Systems** to transform support unmanned operations in hazardous environments, improving safety while maintaining productivity. **Expected Impactand Adoption** Selected SMEs are encouraged to partner and collaborate with industry partners who demonstrate a commitment to deploying and scaling these AI solutions to revolutionize current practice in the CIT sectors . Projects can prioritize: **Scalability and sectoral impact: s**olutions have applicability across multiple sites or operations, with the potential for adoption as industry standards. **Operational Efficiency and Resource Optimization**: AI should directly contribute to optimizing resources, lowering costs, and improving output quality or speed. **Workforce Augmentation and Skills Development**: Solutions should enhance human capabilities, either by upskilling workers with new AI tools or automating repetitive tasks to allow the workforce to focus on higher-value activities. **Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) Integration**: cleantech projects that contribute to sustainability goals, such as reducing emissions, waste, or energy consumption, and align with Ontario's commitment to a responsible, eco-conscious industrial future. The [Critical Industrial Technologies](https://www.oc-innovation.ca/programs/cit/#%3A~%3Atext%3DDriving%20the%20commercialization%20and%20adoption%20of%20critical%20technologies) initiative is dedicated to supporting Ontario-led consortia focused on developing advanced, AI-driven solutions to harness the power of AI to drive sector-wide innovation, productivity, and resilience. Solutions incorporating additional Critical Technologies, 5G & Advanced Networks, Robotics, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and Quantum Computing, are eligible and encouraged, provided they are seamlessly integrated with the AI- driven solution. Thesetechnologies should enhance and extend theAI functionality proposed. **We invite Ontario-based SMEs to collaborate by forming a consortium to develop and implement AI based sector transforming solutions.** **Project Details**- The lead applicant MUST be an Ontario-based SME and must meet the requirements identified in the [Sector Adoption Program Guidelines,](https://www.oc-innovation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CIT-Sector-Adoption-Program-Guidelines_March-2024-1.pdf) with a consortium that includes at least one end-user or industry partner who can validate the solution’s commercial readiness and impact. - The primary project partner MUST be an end user or customer of the proposed solution and should exhibit market“pull” to for AI solutions that address pressing sector needs. **Project** **Outcomes** **and Participation Benefits**- Project should aim for demonstrable outcomes within a one-year timeframe, laying the groundwork for wider industry adoption and longer-term economic growth. - Proposed projects can be enhancements to existing products/services or new products/services. - Project partners will be required to sign a letter of support and if approved the OCI project funding agreement. - Applicant must have annualrevenues exceeding $200,000 and 10 fulltime employees - Project activities need to be carried outin Ontario. - The Project partner consortia will be required to present to an External Review Panelas part of the full application process. - SMEs and their partners will position Ontario’s strategic industrial sectors at the forefront of global innovation. - Projects MUST demonstrate how the projectpartners are makinga significant impact, through the use of AI, on moving the one of the four CIT sectors forward in Ontario. - Successful projects will become industry case studies, pavingthe way for sustainable growth, job creation, and setting a new AI adoption standard that can be replicated across Ontario and beyond. - Successful projects will prioritize scalability and sectoral impact, operational efficiency and resource optimization, workforce augmentation and skills development, and/or environmental and social governance integration - Participating SMEswill build strongpartnerships with otherOntario-based companies and industry players, leveraging shared expertise and resources to drive innovation. - Successful projects are expected to generate new employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth within participating companies and industries. - By introducing innovative AI solutions, SMEscan unlock opportunities for business growth and market expansion within Ontario and internationally.