Press release : AI computer cluster dedicated to academic research in Canada
Québec, April 24, 2025 – Université Laval and its partners Mila, Calcul Québec and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada today announced the launch of an artificial intelligence computing cluster specifically designed to support academic research in the country.
Located on Université Laval’s campus, this new infrastructure called tamIA will enable scientists in Québec and across Canada to carry out cutting-edge AI research projects in fields as diverse as drug development, medical imaging diagnostics, adaptation to climate change, biodiversity conservation, language, architecture and robotics.
At full capacity, tamIA will consist of a network of 75 computer servers linked by ultra-fast connections, 4,000 processor cores and 38,000 gigabytes of RAM. By way of comparison, a standard desktop computer typically contains 4 cores and 8 gigabytes of RAM.
This cluster is one of three infrastructures that will eventually form the Pan-Canadian AI Compute Environment (PAICE). The other two components will be located at the University of Toronto and the University of Alberta.
The former Van de Graaff accelerator where tamIA is located.
The tamIA cluster is installed in a former Van de Graaff accelerator silo located in the Alexandre-Pouliot building which previously housed the Colosse supercomputer. It benefits from the same energy-efficient design created for Colosse which recycles the large amount of heat generated by the servers – equivalent to the energy needed to power 140 homes – to heat buildings on campus.
“The launch at Université Laval of this component of the Pan-Canadian AI Compute Environment consolidates our institution’s enviable reputation in terms of digital research infrastructures,” declared Université Laval’s Rector, Sophie D’Amours. I’m convinced that this computing cluster will contribute to our institution’s standing and its appeal to the AI research community. It also illustrates the impact Université Laval intends to have in using this powerful technology to meet the societal challenges we face.”
“TamIA represents a step forward for Canada’s AI research ecosystem, added Frédéric Chanay-Savoyen, Vice-President, AI Solutions and Technology at Mila. This infrastructure will allow AI researchers across the country to access the computing power they need to explore new research directions and drive innovations with strong potential for societal impact. Increased computing capacity fosters an environment that supports interdisciplinary collaboration on a national scale and will help Québec and Canada maintain their global leadership in cutting-edge AI research.”
“Calcul Québec is proud to contribute to the design and operation of tamIA. This new cluster strengthens our offering to the research and innovation community, responding to a growing need for specialized resources in the field of artificial intelligence,” concluded Calcul Québec’s Chief Executive Officer, Suzanne Talon.
The tamIA computing cluster was made possible thanks to a $21.6 million investment, including $13 million from the Government of Canada as part of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, $6.4 million from the Government of Quebec through its Research and Innovation Investment Strategy and $2.2 million from various partners.
PAICE is a collaborative effort led by the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, CIFAR, national AI research institutes (Amii, Mila, and Vector Institute), advanced research computing organizations (Calcul Québec) and host sites at Université Laval, University of Alberta and University of Toronto.
