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University of Victoria

UVic and Northeastern University to build applied AI innovation alliance

May 06, 2026

UVic and NorthEastern University

The University of Victoria and Northeastern University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to train the next generation of AI talent and drive real-world technological impact through a joint applied AI innovation alliance.

The MOU formalizes a relationship that began taking shape in 2020. Through UVic's Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science and Northeastern’s west coast network the two institutions will collaborate on course development, joint research, student training and industry partnerships. Northeastern has established campuses in Vancouver, Seattle, Oakland and San Jose.

Applied AI for the Cascadia region

The partnership is also framed around place. Both institutions have a presence in British Columbia, and one of the central goals is building applied AI capacity within BC and contributing to the Cascadia Innovation Corridor. Stretching from Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, BC, the corridor has emerged as one of North America's most active innovation ecosystems and aspires to become the world's first sustainable mega-region.

"This collaboration enables us to collectively contribute to the mega-region, building capacity within BC and through a Canadian lens," says Yvonne Coady professor in computer science at the University of Victoria (UVic). "We are stronger together."

Collaboration across courses, research and industry

Under the MOU, the two universities will develop cross-listed courses, share faculty appointments and co-supervise students and research teams. Both institutions will contribute hardware, technical expertise and personnel. The partnership also creates a shared framework for seeking research funding and attracting industry, government and not-for-profit partners.

"For years we’ve been working with the University of Victoria on various projects, and now we’re excited to make the partnership official. Our values alignment around AI for everyone and industry-oriented research makes for a great collaboration,” says Bethany Edmunds, associate dean of computing programs at Northeastern University.

At the heart of the partnership is a shared commitment to applied AI, meaning practical tools and systems built for actual use, not just research that stays within universities. Examples include an AI system that helps a non-profit better serve clients with disabilities; a model that supports Indigenous economic planning; and tools that help energy or maritime companies make better decisions with complex data.

The CascadAI Impact Network

The partnership’s first initiative, CascadAI Impact Network, launches this summer. It brings together multi-institutional student teams to work on applied AI projects relevant to BC communities and industries. The project’s partners include CanAssist, the Indigenomics Institute, the Maritime Museums of Vancouver and San Francisco, Seaspan, Fortis, and AWS, a group spanning accessibility services, Indigenous economic development, cultural institutions, marine industry, energy, and cloud infrastructure.

For students, the network offers something that coursework alone cannot: experience working in interdisciplinary teams across institutions on problems that matter to real organizations. For those organizations, it means access to emerging AI expertise developed with a Canadian and BC-specific lens.

Strengthening Canadian AI research and industry adoption

The announcement comes at a moment when Canada has made AI talent development and the translation of academic research into real-world applications a national priority. The physical testing centres planned under the alliance address these goals directly by supporting hands-on training and co-located research.

The MOU is effective for an initial three-year term, with both institutions expecting to enter into specific project agreements as collaborative opportunities develop. The CascadAI Impact Network represents the first of what both sides anticipate will be a growing portfolio of joint work, and a signal that Victoria is ready to take its place in the region's innovation story.