When the artificial intelligence revolution accelerated, Manitoba was home to exceptional AI talent, but there was no unified voice to connect professionals, engage industry, or help shape public policy. That gap inspired the creation of the Manitoba Association of AI Professionals (MAAIP), a volunteer-led and partnership-powered organization dedicated to ensuring Manitoba is not simply an observer of the AI economy, but an active leader within it. As AI begins reshaping productivity, competitiveness, education, and the workforce, Manitoba needs a coordinated ecosystem that can help local organizations act quickly, responsibly, and with confidence.
Founded in 2024, MAAIP was established to bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, technology leaders, students, and organizations around a shared vision: building a thriving AI ecosystem that creates opportunities for Manitobans while helping local businesses adopt AI responsibly and effectively. With over a thousand members joining in the first two years, the association has grown rapidly into the province’s leading AI community, creating connections that strengthen both innovation and economic development.
“We love Manitoba and we want to attract and build great companies here. We wanted to create an organization where all those people are in the same room together… to make Manitoba a place where you want to start an AI company, where you want to bring in AI talent.” — Roy McLaughlin, MAAIP Founder and Board Chair
That vision has quickly translated into action. MAAIP’s annual Manitoba AI Innovation Showcase has become one of the province’s premier AI technology events, bringing together innovators, students, business leaders, government representatives, and AI enthusiasts to demonstrate homegrown solutions while strengthening Manitoba’s innovation community. Sold-out showcases have highlighted the remarkable depth of AI expertise already thriving across the province and reinforced MAAIP’s commitment to retaining local talent.
Beyond community building, MAAIP has established itself as a respected thought leader on responsible AI adoption. Board members regularly contribute to public discussions on AI governance, education, workforce readiness, and ethical implementation, helping organizations move beyond experimentation toward meaningful business transformation.
One of the association’s most significant collaborations has been its partnership with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce to co-develop the AI Readiness Assessment, a practical tool that helps organizations evaluate their current AI maturity and identify actionable next steps. Designed to make AI adoption accessible for businesses of every size, the assessment reflects MAAIP’s belief that successful AI transformation begins with education, strategy, and confidence rather than technology alone, and it provides a foundation for deeper support, training, and implementation across Manitoba’s business community.
“MAAIP’s growth speaks to something much bigger than our organization – it reflects the demand for a trusted community around AI. There’s tremendous enthusiasm about what AI can do for productivity and innovation, but people also want practical advice from others who have been through the journey. By bringing AI professionals together, we can share what works, learn from each other’s successes and challenges, and help our entire business community adopt AI more confidently and responsibly.” — Loretta Kulchycki, MAAIP Founding Board Member
What began as a conversation among a handful of AI leaders has evolved into a growing movement. By connecting talent, fostering collaboration, advocating for responsible innovation, and helping businesses embrace the opportunities of artificial intelligence, MAAIP is ensuring Manitoba is helping shape the future of AI, not simply adapting to it. The next chapter is about moving from awareness to adoption: helping Manitoba organizations build practical AI capability while ensuring the province has a clear, credible voice in Canada’s AI future.
