Google is building its new AI research lab in Canada

I thought that Skynet would open up in the US, but it looks like the Terminators will want some bacon and maple syrup instead, with Google announcing its new DeepMind AI research lab is open for... well... business I guess, in Canada.

DeepMind has announced that it's new AI research lab is opening up in Edmonton, Alberta later this month, with three University of Alberta computer science professors (Richard Sutton, Michael Bowling and Patrick Pilarski) leading the group. They will be joined by seven other AI leaders, too. The big question is: why isn't Google's new AI digs opening up on US soil? Recode reports that there are familiarity and political considerations, with over a dozen University of Alberta grads working at DeepMind, and Sutton was one of the first to join the AI lab as an advisor.

The Canadian government is also more willing to invest in AI research, with Canada cozying up to AI scientists to the tune of $125 million in funding - on top of existing funding. On US soil, the Trump administration is swaying away from scientific research, proposing major funding cuts.