Innovation Saskatchewan Investing $25K in Sask AI Expo to Accelerate Growth of Saskatchewan's AI Ecosystem

Released on April 13, 2026

Innovation Saskatchewan is investing $25,000 as the lead sponsor of SASK AI EXPO 2026, the province's flagship artificial intelligence (AI) event hosted by Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan (AiSK).  

Taking place April 27 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, the inaugural expo will bring together industry leaders, researchers, students, startups and the public for a hands-on look at how AI is shaping Saskatchewan's future.  

Attendees will experience expert-led breakout sessions, interactive workshops, live tech demos and high-value networking, highlighting how AI is being developed, applied and scaled across industries and communities.  

"Saskatchewan has the talent, research strength and industry expertise to compete and lead in AI and we're proud to help catalyse collaboration across the province," Minister responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Warren Kaeding said. "SASK AI EXPO 2026 will connect innovators, accelerate adoption and help build a more competitive, resilient economy."  

This year's expo is headlined by Jeff Dyck, Vice President of Research and Development at Siemens EDA. Dyck played a key role in developing the AI-driven chip design technology created by Solido Design Automation, a Saskatchewan-founded company acquired by Siemens in 2017. Today, that technology powers billions of semiconductor chips in devices like cellphones worldwide, demonstrating how innovation from Saskatchewan can scale globally.  

Throughout the day, showcases will highlight real-world AI applications across Saskatchewan's key sectors, including agriculture, mining and energy, alongside rapidly growing areas such as healthtech, cleantech and advanced manufacturing.  

Workshops and sessions will offer practical insights on adopting AI today, from responsible and ethical use to new career pathways and opportunities for startups and established companies to build and scale AI-powered solutions.  

"Saskatchewan has the talent to lead in AI, and SASK AI EXPO puts it on full display, connecting local innovators with top experts from across North America and showcasing real-world impact," AiSK fractional Executive Director Kaitlyn Hebert said. "With Innovation Saskatchewan as Visionary Sponsor, we are sending a clear message: Saskatchewan's AI future is already underway."  

Launched in 2024, AiSK is Saskatchewan's central hub for AI education, adoption and commercialization. The organization connects industry, government, researchers and entrepreneurs to share knowledge, identify opportunities and build the AI capacity needed to support long-term economic growth and innovation.  

Tickets for SASK AI EXPO 2026 are available at aisk.ca/expo. 

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