Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications giant, has given substantial funding to a professor at the University of Alberta to establish a brand new artificial intelligence research institution. Professor Richard Sutton of the University’s computer science department is working on forming the Openmind Research Institute (ORI), which is funded by $4.8 million from Huawei. The program is expected to open its doors in Edmonton on November 24 and will support research based on the Alberta Plan, a 12-step guide co-authored by Mr. Sutton with the goal of achieving human-level artificial intelligence (AI).
Canada decided to ban Huawei from the construction of its 5G wireless infrastructure in 2022, following the lead of its intelligence allies over shared national security concerns. The concern is partially due to the close ties between Huawei and the Chinese military. Its founder, Ren Zhengfei, previously served as the director of an information engineering department within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In 2020, the Pentagon identified Huawei as among 20 Chinese companies receiving backing from the Chinese military. The U.S. has also taken measures to prevent Huawei’s involvement in its critical telecommunications infrastructure.
On September 25, Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa, voiced concerns to the House of Commons science committee about the significant risks of Canadian universities partnering with Chinese military-backed entities like Huawei. Criticisms have been directed towards Huawei for its connections with the Chinese military, its ties to human rights violations, and how collaborations with the company might disrupt Canada’s relationships with its Western allies. In June, the House of Commons passed a motion tasking the science committee to investigate government grants provided to institutions that engage in research collaborations with China in sensitive areas such as photonics, artificial intelligence, quantum theory, biopharmaceuticals, and aerospace.
In response to concerns, Randy Goebel, a University of Alberta computer science professor, criticized the United States for its reactions regarding Huawei and condemned Canadian politicians for easily capitulating. There have been ongoing concerns about how collaboration with companies such as Huawei might strain Canadian relationships with democratic allies. Meanwhile, the motion also asked the committee to study intellectual property transfers to Huawei, showing an ongoing scrutiny of partnerships with the telecom giant.