Digital Systems, AI & Cybersecurity

AC is a flagship initiative that leverages artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation to accelerate the discovery and deployment of advanced materials and molecules. Through AI-guided self-driving laboratories, AC researchers integrate machine learning, robotics, chemistry and engineering to identify materials critical for life-saving medicines, biodegradable plastics and renewable energy technologies.

A3MD is a partnership between U of T and McMaster University, the National Research Council and industrial partners. It applies artificial intelligence to the design of high-performance materials for clean energy and electronics. A3MD combines high-performance computing, machine learning and high-throughput experimentation to screen, fabricate and evaluate candidates.

AMD–U of T Research Lab is a research and development partnership with AMD in artificial intelligence and computing, supported by donated AI servers. Its work covers energy-efficient AI systems, enterprise-scale data intelligence and decentralized approaches, run through the Department of Computer Science.

ByteShape makes advanced AI run on hardware an organization already owns: its ShapeLearn technology compresses AI models to use far less memory and run faster. That could let defence and security agencies use AI on secure, on-site systems or on drones where power is limited. The UTEST-backed U of T spinout is led by professor Andreas Moshovos.

CARTE is a hub for analytics and artificial intelligence across the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, organized around research, education and partnerships. It runs industry-focused AI training and research collaborations with affiliates drawn from eight engineering departments, working in manufacturing, finance, energy, health care and the public sector.

The Citizen Lab is internationally recognized for research into spyware, disinformation campaigns and digital threats to civil society. Its interdisciplinary team draws on expertise in law, computer science and the social sciences to analyze and expose surveillance and influence operations, and to report its findings publicly.

CleverHans conducts research on the security and privacy of machine learning, spanning adversarial examples, robust and secure models, and privacy-preserving learning. The lab maintains the CleverHans library for constructing attacks, building defences and benchmarking both.

CDL AI is an objectives-based accelerator stream for founders building on core AI and machine learning innovations, including natural language processing, computer vision and generative AI. It brings early-stage ventures together with researchers and experts to advance AI research and systems while refining and scaling their innovations.

CDL Defence is an objectives-based accelerator stream for founders developing dual-use technologies that improve mission capability, resilience and national security. It helps ventures align with real buyer needs, navigate government pathways, and build evidence for testing and procurement with allied partners.

DSI is a university-wide hub for data science research, training, and partnerships. DSI researchers develop methodologies for collecting, cleaning, linking, governing, and interpreting datasets across health, public policy, energy, the environment, and Indigenous governance. DSI strengthens Canada’s AI ecosystem by advancing data infrastructure and delivering public-facing reskilling programs.

The Entrepreneurship Hatchery is a venture studio in U of T Engineering whose programs help students, faculty and alumni build startups, with funding that lets student founders work on their companies full-time. Its aerospace stream runs with Start@UTIAS, and it gave early support to Kepler Communications, now building secure satellite links between orbit and the ground.

FCCRL is a long-term U of T collaboration with Fujitsu on combinatorial optimization using quantum-inspired computing. FCCRL's work develops algorithms and architectures for the Fujitsu Digital Annealer and applies them to problems in health care, finance and intelligent transportation.

Kepler Communications is building a network of satellites that exchange data directly in orbit by laser, which it describes as “the internet for space.” It was founded in 2015 by U of T graduate students through the University of Toronto Aerospace Team, with early support from the Entrepreneurship Hatchery, Start@UTIAS and the Creative Destruction Lab.

Quantum Bridge develops quantum-safe key distribution that runs on existing networks, protecting classified data now and once quantum computers can break today’s encryption. Tested with Defence Research and Development Canada, it can sell directly to the federal government. It was co-founded in 2019 by Hoi-Kwong Lo, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at U of T.

SRI coordinates interdisciplinary research on the societal impacts of advanced technologies, including safe and aligned AI development, fairness in machine learning and trusted data sharing. SRI develops governance approaches for emerging technologies by integrating technical research with social, legal and regulatory analysis.

SciNet is the university’s supercomputing centre, providing Canadian researchers with computational resources (e.g., the Trillium supercomputer and other advanced clusters), high-performance storage and expertise to run large-scale simulations, data analysis, and research computing across fields ranging from climate science to biomedical engineering to astrophysics.

SPRG is a cross-faculty group focused on applied cryptography, hardware and systems security, privacy, and machine learning security. SPRG's research spans privacy-preserving systems and secure computation, online harms and mobile permissions, and cyber deception for active defence of critical infrastructure.

TightBeam Photonics builds smaller, more portable and less expensive optical ground stations, using photonic chips to bring satellite data down to Earth by laser in place of radio. Supported by UTEST and U of T’s Innovations & Partnerships Office, it was selected for the 2026 cohort of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA).

UTEST is an accelerator for research-based startups founded by U of T faculty, students and staff, with investment capital, mentoring, incubation space and entrepreneurial training. Its portfolio includes TightBeam Photonics and Cohesys, chosen in 2025 for NATO’s DIANA, and NanoMorphix, ByteShape and CERT Systems. It runs in partnership with Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (TIAP).

UTE connects the accelerators across U of T’s three campuses that help students, faculty and alumni turn research into companies, among them dual-use ventures that serve civilian and defence customers alike. Its “no wrong door” approach gives founders a way in at any stage or in any industry, with mentorship, funding and domain expertise.

Vector is an independent, non-profit AI research organization based in Toronto, advancing machine learning and trustworthy AI and their applications in health, climate and other domains. Its research community also shapes AI governance, ethical frameworks and the Canadian AI ecosystem. U of T is a founding partner.