AI University — Northgate, ON

About

AI University

Founded in 1965, AI University is a comprehensive research institution in Northgate, Ontario, dedicated to truth, progress, and the betterment of society.

Our Mission

AI University is committed to the creation, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge through excellence in teaching, transformative research, and meaningful community engagement.

Our motto — Veritas et Progressus (Truth and Progress) — reflects our founding belief that rigorous scholarship and human advancement are inseparable.

At a Glance

  • Founded1965 (Charter: 1967)
  • LocationNorthgate, Ontario, Canada
  • MottoVeritas et Progressus
  • GovernanceBoard of Governors (25 members)
  • SenateAcademic body — 120 members
  • AccreditationUniversities Canada, AACSB, LCME, Engineers Canada
  • Student Body18,400+ students
  • Faculty & Staff1,200+ employees

Core Values

Academic Freedom

We protect the right to pursue knowledge without constraint, fostering bold inquiry and open debate across all disciplines.

Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to a campus where every student, faculty member, and staff person belongs — in policy and in practice.

Sustainability

Environmental responsibility is embedded in our operations, research agenda, and community engagement programmes.

Innovation

We partner with industry, government, and civil society to translate research discoveries into real-world impact.

Integrity

Honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct are non-negotiable standards in our scholarship, teaching, and administration.

Community

We serve Northgate and beyond, working with local partners to address social, health, and economic challenges through applied research and service learning.

Our History

Six decades of growth — from a provincial charter to one of Canada's leading research universities.

1965

AI University founded by provincial charter with faculties of Science, Engineering, and Arts.

1971

Faculty of Medicine established; affiliation agreement signed with Northgate General Hospital.

1983

First doctoral programmes launched in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

1994

Faculty of Business receives AACSB accreditation — one of the first Canadian institutions to do so.

2002

AI & Machine Learning Lab founded; early work on neural networks predates the deep learning era.

2011

Research funding surpasses $40M annually for the first time; Northgate Research Park opens adjacent to campus.

2019

Faculty of Law launches Canada's first university-based AI & Technology Law Clinic.

2024

BSc Data Science & AI programme launched; enrolment applications exceed capacity by 4x in Year 1.

2026

18,400+ students enrolled; $68M+ in annual research funding across six faculties.

Research at AI University

Our researchers work on problems that matter — from quantum computing and cancer genomics to climate resilience and justice reform.

$68M+
Annual research funding
420+
Active research projects
1,800+
Peer-reviewed publications per year
14
Canada Research Chairs
6
NSERC Alliance grant programmes
22
Residency specialties (Medicine)

AI University is a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities and receives funding from NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Research Fund, and numerous industry partners. Our researchers collaborate with institutions across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Executive Leadership

The President's Executive Council oversees strategic direction and operations.

P
Prof. Margaret L. Ashford, PhD
President
D
Dr. James Okafor
VP Academic & Provost
D
Dr. Stefan Wolff
VP Research & Innovation
M
Mr. Kevin Larose
VP Finance & Operations
M
Ms. Aisha Thompson
VP People & Culture
M
Mr. Carlos Rivera
Chief Information Officer

Academic Deans

Six faculties, each led by a dean reporting to the VP Academic.

Faculty of Science
Prof. Li Wei
Faculty of Engineering
Prof. Sandra Kowalski, PEng
Faculty of Medicine
Prof. David Nkrumah, MD, PhD
Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Prof. Isabelle Tremblay
Faculty of Business
Prof. Raj Mehta
Faculty of Law
Prof. Caroline Hughes

Northgate Campus

Our main campus is located in Northgate, Ontario — a vibrant mid-sized city with excellent transit, affordable living, and a growing tech ecosystem. The campus spans the Computing Science Building, Engineering Complex, Health Sciences Complex, and over 40 other buildings across 180 acres.

  • 180-acre main campus
  • 40+ buildings including 5 research complexes
  • Northgate General Hospital (primary teaching site)
  • 14 community health centres
  • Central library with 2.4M volumes

Address & Contact

1 University Drive
Northgate, ON N1A 2B3
Canada

Main switchboard: 905-555-0100
General enquiries: info@ai-university.edu
Media relations: media@ai-university.edu