Lambton College Receives Funding to Launch AI for Advanced Manufacturing Development Site
SARNIA, ON – April 17, 2025 – Lambton College officially launched a new Artificial Intelligence for Advanced Manufacturing (AI4AM) Development Site designed to accelerate AI adoption in Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector as part of provincial initiative.
The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) recently announced the expansion of the Ontario’s Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative, which includes 10 specialized Technology Development Sites (TDS) across the province. Lambton College is among the newest organizations to join this growing network and will play a central role in providing AI expertise and support to manufacturers across Ontario.
As Ontario’s small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in advanced manufacturing seek to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global market, the adoption of AI technologies has become increasingly essential. From enhancing supply chain resilience to enabling sustainable production practices and addressing labour shortages, AI presents a transformative opportunity for the sector.
The CIT initiative – announced in Ontario’s 2023 Budget – is a $50M investment over three years aimed at propelling the mining, advanced manufacturing, construction, and agri-food sectors forward through the adoption and commercialization of key technologies such as 5G, AI, blockchain, robotics, quantum, and cybersecurity. The initiative supports the development of Technology Development Sites (TDS) across the province, each designed to provide regional expertise, specialized facilities, and sector-specific support for SMEs to innovate, test, and scale critical technologies.
As a new partner, Lambton College is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. Being one of the only Canadian colleges operating three Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Technology Access Centres (TACs) – the Digital Transformation Lab (DTL), Lambton Manufacturing Innovation Centre (LMIC), and the Bioindustrial Process Research Centre (BPRC) – Lambton has earned national recognition for its industry-driven applied research capabilities.
The new AI4AM Development Site is one of the only sites dedicated to AI and will offer advanced manufacturing companies across Ontario access to specialized support in Machine Learning (ML), Predictive Analytics, and Computer Vision. Over the course of the program, up to twelve companies will receive tailored assistance to scale and commercialize AI-driven technologies. These efforts are expected to reduce operational costs, enhance productivity, and create long-term strategic advantages for participating businesses.
“As a recognized leader in applied research and innovation, Lambton College is proud to contribute to the CIT network and Ontario’s vision of technology-driven economic growth,” said Dr. Mehdi Sheikhzadeh, Senior Vice President, Research & Innovation at Lambton College. “Through AI4AM we are equipping SMEs with cutting-edge AI tools and expertise, while enabling innovation that drives sustainability, resilience, and economic growth across the province.”
With the launch of AI4AM, Lambton College continues to demonstrate leadership in applied research and innovation, reinforcing Ontario’s position as a global leader in the future of industrial AI and advanced manufacturing.
For more information about Lambton College’s research and innovation initiatives, please visit lambtonresearch.ca.
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