This strategic partnership deepens scientific ties between Canada and France and creates new opportunities for cross-border research and innovation.
MONTRÉAL and PARIS, Oct. 8, 2026 /CNW/ -- Mila, one of the world's leading AI research institutes and Inria, the French National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology, today announced a four-year cooperation agreement to strengthen AI and digital science collaboration between Canada and France. The partnership will bring the two research communities closer, expand opportunities for researchers and students to work together, and advance scientific and technological research grounded in a shared commitment to responsible and ethical AI for the common good.
Through the partnership, Mila and Inria will focus on strategic areas, including foundational machine learning and agentic AI, AI evaluation and safety, AI for science and health, energy and environmental sustainability, trustworthy and safe AI, language and computer vision, robotics, advanced computing infrastructure, and the societal and economic impacts of AI.
To put these priorities into practice, the two institutions plan to bring their research and innovation teams together around shared scientific goals, with joint projects and opportunities for bilateral exchange. This includes co-supervising Master's and PhD students, supporting researcher and student mobility, pursuing publicly funded initiatives, and launching joint innovation projects.
A particular focus will be placed on applied projects in quantum and AI, open source, and multilingual AI. These efforts can involve companies, foster scientific ventures, and support the creation and international growth of startups between Quebec and France.
The partnership is also designed to reach beyond the two institutions, with opportunities to involve other Canadian and French organizations as new initiatives emerge. A joint Steering Committee will guide its development, track progress and identify new areas of mutual interest.
Statements on the Cooperation
Valérie Pisano, President and CEO of Mila:
"Developing open AI through international cooperation is not just a scientific mission--it is an economic imperative. Canada and France share a strong tradition of scientific excellence and a common ambition for the future of AI. Joining forces with Inria will deepen those ties and create an alliance between two leading research institutions to tackle the critical challenges of trustworthy AI. This partnership gives our researchers a broader platform to innovate together, while reinforcing Mila's global leadership in advancing responsible AI that benefits all."
Bruno Sportisse, Chairman and CEO of Inria:
"In the fast-evolving landscape of AI, the international strategy of Inria is to team up with world-class research organisations. Inria and Mila share the same vision regarding the development of AI and the impact in all domains. Our strategic partnership is focused on science-based impact and will allow us to launch outstanding joint projects at the forefront of science, technology and innovation. This will result in more impactful achievements, as compared to what we could do alone. I am convinced that it will be beneficial for the AI ecosystems of both countries."
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.quebec
About Inria
Inria, the French national institute for research in digital science and technology, supports the French government in national research and innovation strategies in the digital field, acting as Digital Programs Agency. Inria leads over 300 research and innovation projects with its 3,500 scientists, engineers, and support staff, in partnership with universities and the digital ecosystem (businesses, entrepreneurs, and public stakeholders). Together, we explore strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, cloud technologies, digital transformation in healthcare, digital twins, and digital technologies for defence. We develop practical solutions such as software, tech startups, partnerships with national companies, and cutting-edge training programmes. Our goal is to drive scientific, technological, and industrial excellence to ensure France's digital sovereignty. For more information: www.inria.fr
SOURCE Mila - Quebec AI Institute
Media Contacts: Mila, Media Relations, [email protected], www.mila.quebec; Inria, Media Relations, [email protected], https://www.inria.fr/en
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