Canada and Germany Strengthen AI Cooperation Through Strategic Partnership Between DFKI and Mila
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New partnership brings together two leading AI research institutions to deepen scientific ties between Canada and Germany and advance trustworthy AI, agentic AI, AI safety, and AI for the energy sector.
MONTRÉAL and KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany, Sept. 16, 2026 /CNW/ -- The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and the Canadian research institute Mila have agreed to join forces in key sectors to strengthen German-Canadian AI ties. The partnership was formalized at ALL IN, Canada's largest AI and technology event, in Montréal, where the leaders of both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of German Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation Karsten Wildberger and Canadian Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon. Building on recent government efforts to strengthen bilateral ties in applied AI and research, the collaboration focuses on joint research projects in key application domains such as the energy sector, as well as the development of trustworthy and safe AI systems and agentic AI.
Synergies for the Energy Transition and AI Safety
Both Germany and Canada face the challenge of transforming their energy systems into sustainable, efficient, and resilient structures. Artificial intelligence plays a key role here--for instance, in optimizing smart grids, forecasting renewable energy generation, and improving industrial energy efficiency.
The partnership between DFKI and Mila combines the complementary strengths of two leading global AI ecosystems. In addition to solutions for the energy transition, the partnership focuses on research questions surrounding agentic AI, AI safety, and trustworthy systems. Through targeted knowledge sharing, methodology exchange, and talent mobility, the partners aim to develop practical solutions and accelerate technology transfer into the Canadian and German economies.
Statements on the Cooperation
Prof. Dr. Antonio Krüger, CEO of DFKI:
"The cooperation with Mila marks an important milestone for DFKI. Canada and Germany share the vision of human-centric and trustworthy artificial intelligence. By combining our research and transfer capabilities, particularly in critical application domains such as the energy sector, we create synergies that benefit science, industry, and society in Canada and Germany alike."
Valérie Pisano, President and CEO of Mila:
"As Mila continues to expand its global reach, joining forces with one of Germany's leading AI research institutes is an important next step. As a trusted partner, Germany, and more specifically DFKI, will enable us to advance cutting-edge AI research and translate it into high-impact industrial applications."
Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation, Federal Republic of Germany:
"This partnership brings together two of the world's leading AI research institutions with the clear goal to further develop safe and trustworthy AI systems. This collaboration not only accelerates AI innovation, but also ensures that artificial intelligence serves people, businesses, and society in Germany and Canada."
The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Government of Canada:
"In a rapidly evolving AI landscape, progress depends on trusted partnerships. By bringing together two world-leading AI institutions, Mila and DFKI, Canada and Germany are strengthening the ties between our research ecosystems and advancing the development of safe, reliable AI. This collaboration will help accelerate innovation, deepen scientific exchange, and ensure that AI serves people, businesses, and societies on both sides of the Atlantic."
About DFKI
The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence GmbH (DFKI) was founded in 1988 as a non-profit Public-Private Partnership (PPP). It operates facilities in Kaiserslautern, Saarbrücken, Bremen, Lower Saxony, and Darmstadt, labs in Berlin and Lübeck, as well as a branch office in Trier.
DFKI combines scientific excellence and commercially oriented value creation with societal impact. For over 35 years, DFKI has been conducting research on human-centric AI, guided by social relevance and scientific excellence across key future-oriented research and application domains of artificial intelligence. In the international scientific community, DFKI is recognized as one of the premier "Centers of Excellence." Currently, approximately 1,400 employees from over 76 nations are researching innovative software solutions.
About Mila
Founded by Professor Yoshua Bengio, Mila is one of the world's leading AI research institutes, bringing together close to 2,000 researchers & professionals shaping the future of intelligence. A non-profit organization based in Montreal, Mila is recognized for its scientific contributions, global innovation partnerships, leadership in safe & responsible AI, and acceleration of AI venture creation. It was created through a unique partnership between Université de Montréal and McGill University to advance scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of all. Mila is supported by the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, and more than 150 industrial partners. For more information, visit mila.ai
SOURCE Mila - Quebec AI Institute
Media Contacts: German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence GmbH (DFKI), Andreas Schepers, Corporate Spokesperson, [email protected] , www.dfki.de/en; Mila, Media Relations, [email protected], www.mila.quebec
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