An artificial intelligence expert says building an AI data centre should not be P.E.I.'s priority; instead, the province should focus on developing local expertise in the technology.
Frank Rudzicz, a professor in the computer science department at Dalhousie University, told CBC News that the province should invest in AI education and training for Islanders rather than pursuing a data centre project. He emphasized that the skills gap in AI is a more pressing issue than infrastructure.
Rudzicz noted that while data centres are important for AI development, they require significant energy and resources. He argued that P.E.I. could benefit more from building a workforce capable of using and developing AI applications in sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and healthcare.
The expert's comments come amid discussions about the potential for AI-related economic development in the province. No specific data centre proposal has been announced for P.E.I.
