We are dedicated to developing Canada’s natural resources in innovative and sustainable ways. To support this goal, the Digital Accelerator develops strategic partnerships with internal and external experts to accelerate digital transformation, increase efficiency and productivity, and reduce red tape processes.
The Digital Accelerator brings together data scientists, science experts, policy specialists, and program managers to co-create applications and policies that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). This collaborative model helps drive major improvements in digital innovation and supports a culture of digital leadership within Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and across the Government of Canada.
AI-Quantum Community of Practice
NRCan’s Digital Accelerator and the Office of the Chief Scientist co-lead the AI-Quantum Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP seeks to enhance NRCan's AI and quantum literacy by building community, breaking down silos, and engaging with internal and external experts who can build on current knowledge and innovation. The CoP will hold sessions covering topics from predictive and generative AI to emerging technologies in quantum computing.
AI-Quantum workshop
NRCan’s Digital Accelerator, Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, and the Office of the Chief Scientist co-lead the department’s AI-Quantum Workshop offering all employees across Natural Resources Canada to explore, learn, and connect on the latest advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), NRCan’s quantum vision, and geospatial innovation. The workshop takes place annually in the Fall.
Public Service Data/AI Challenge
The Public Service Data/AI Challenge is a competition for all Federal public servants in collaboration with:
- Natural Resources Canada (Iterations 1-3)
- Statistics Canada
- UK Global Government Forum
- And with support from Treasury Board Secretariat, and knowledge partners such as IBM, Dell, and Nvidia
Public servants are invited to pitch ideas on how to better use data and artificial intelligence to improve public servants’ tools, systems, operational efficiency, or the provision of public services. Call for Proposals are announced annually in the Fall.
2023’s winner was AgPal Chat (formerly AgGPT) submitted by Agriculture and Agrifood Canada.
2024’s winner focused on Analyzing existing data to better target energy efficiency spending, submitted by Natural Resources Canada.
2025’s winning idea was the AI Classification Enabler (ACE), submitted by Treasury Board Secretariat.
Vector Institute and Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute
Enabling a digital-driven culture
To foster a digital-aware culture at NRCan, the Digital Accelerator collaborates with internal and external partners to support digital capacity-building.
In Fall 2022 we collaborated with Vector Institute to provide a complimentary Fundamentals of AI and Ethical Considerations workshop for NRCan employees in hopes of empowering the department through upskilling and increased digital literacy. These workshops drew interest from colleagues across the department and in January 2024, we provided additional complimentary workshops in Machine Learning Foundations and AI Ethics in-partnership with Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii).
Contact
To find out more about digital innovation at NRCan or to collaborate, email digital-numerique@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.