Latest news with #Axl
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
University of Toronto professor launches venture studio to build 50 AI companies
Daniel Wigdor, CEO and Co-Founder of AXL and a computer science professor at the University of Toronto, joins BNN Bloomberg to discuss fast-tracking AI commercialization in Canada. A Toronto university professor aims to make the city a global technology leader by launching 50 artificial intelligence (AI) companies to ensure Canada benefits economically from its own research while retaining talent at home. 'Right now, in Canada, 75 per cent of the patents that get filed in the AI space go to global tech giants,' Daniel Wigdor, computer science professor at the University of Toronto and co-founder and CEO of Axl, told BNN Bloomberg Thursday. 'Of the remaining 25, only seven per cent stay here in Canada. But we lead the world in this technology and AI applied technology as well. And despite that fact, we're doing all this great research here, but it's not making its way into Canadian innovation and Canadian corporations.' According to the Canadian Press, about three-quarters of AI patents produced by researchers in Canada leave the country, and most end upin the hands of Big Tech. Wigdor has founded several companies applying technologies to create products, employing hundreds of people across North America and raising over $100 million in revenue and funding, according to Axl's website. In 2020, he sold Chatham Labs to Facebook and became the founding director of Meta's Reality Labs in Toronto. He holds 60 patents. Through Axl, a Toronto-based venture studio, Wigdor aims to build 50 AI-powered companies within the next five years to fuel Canada's research-to-commercialization pipeline. 'What we're looking to do is create the right opportunities and talent networks here in Canada, so that we can pick up those results and begin to commercialize it here,' said Wigdor. Axl is located at the Schwartz-Reisman Innovation Campus at the University of Toronto, co-located with the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the University of Toronto's Computer Science Department and startup accelerators. The studio assists clients by identifying business problems they may have and applying new and existing AI while using academic research rather than working to build innovative AI servers from scratch. They work to automate tasks and functions for a company to partner on future projects together. 'We have many partners established already, and we're excited to announce them over time,' said Wigdor. 'There's the foundational technologies of large language models and the servers and things that people are throwing billions and billions of dollars at right now, but all the real money in any platform is always made through the applications that get built over top of it. And that's the space that we're looking to operate. And so the partners that we're looking for are those companies that have problems that they themselves don't know could be solved with these amazing technologies.' Axl recently closed on a $15 million venture fund. They are currently working with Dentons and Dillion Consulting Limited. 'We partner with great, innovative companies,' said Wigdor. 'We've announced, for example, our partnership with Dentons, which is Canada's global law firm. Through that partnership, we go deep with our corporate partners. We study their business over the course of several weeks and months, we gain a deep understanding of all the opportunities that exist.' 'In the Dentons' case, within the firm themselves, for things they would be a customer of, but then also for Dentons' clients, what are the opportunities and problems that they're having that we could solve with AI that other people don't know could be solved that way? And so, what that means is, before we found one of our companies, we already have a validated problem, a first customer and a strategic investor.'
Globe and Mail
17-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Stopping the brain drain: U of T professor aims to launch 50 AI companies with new venture studio Axl
Daniel Wigdor is a prime example of the problem he's trying to solve. He completed a computer-science PhD at the University of Toronto and promptly left the country to work for Microsoft Corp. in the United States. He returned home and later founded a company focused on human-computer interaction, but sold it to Meta Platforms Inc., another foreign tech giant. Today, Mr. Wigdor wants to launch more Canadian technology companies, ensure the country benefits economically from the research coming out of publicly funded universities, and give talented entrepreneurs a reason to stay. 'Canada has been dramatically underperforming and failing to take up the incredible innovation happening here,' he said. 'With the right investment of community, of infrastructure, of capital and of innovation, we can really solve that problem.' To that end, he has co-founded a venture studio called Axl that aims to launch 50 artificial-intelligence companies in the next five years. Mr. Wigdor, Axl's chief executive, expects at least half to fail within the first six months. (This is venture, after all.) Broadly, Axl will identify business problems and task talented entrepreneurs to solve them with AI, while tapping into promising academic research. Axl recently closed a $15-million investment fund, with Mr. Wigdor as the lead investor. 'Because we can be so efficient, and because our tech team will be building the prototypes, I don't need a lot of money to get started,' he said. Ottawa will focus more on economic benefits of AI, less on regulation, says new minister A computer-science professor at the University of Toronto, Mr. Wigdor has teamed up with fellow U of T prof Tovi Grossman, entrepreneur Ray Sharma and former Telus executive David Sharma to form Axl. Mining magnate Rob McEwen and Smart Technologies co-founder David Martin are also investors, among others. Axl was ultimately born out of a 'trauma' of Mr. Wigdor's that dates back to Jan. 9, 2007. Like many people that day, he watched Steve Jobs unveil the iPhone, which proved revolutionary thanks to its touch-screen interface. The difference is that Mr. Wigdor watched on a multitouch computing device he built for his thesis at U of T. He didn't invent the technology, but Bill Buxton had worked on the concept in the early 1980s while at U of T. And now here was Apple's CEO, about to upend multiple industries with a technology that could be partly traced back to a Canadian university. 'The social contract that academics believe we have with society is that we're going to invent these technologies and write about them in papers and inspire people,' Mr. Wigdor said. 'The tragedy of it is the foundational technologies we're inventing in Canada are not accruing capital for Canada.' The same pattern is playing out with AI. Emeritus U of T professor Geoffrey Hinton sold his company to Google and worked for the tech giant for years. One of his students, Ilya Sutskever, left Toronto and co-founded OpenAI. Another, Jimmy Ba, was among the first hires at Elon Musk's xAI. Axl is based at the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus in Toronto, which also houses the Vector Institute, affording it access to the city's deep pool of AI and computer-science talent. 'We want to create Toronto as the centre of modern AI development, and getting these 50 companies created is going to have a massive ripple effect,' said Axl co-founder and chief growth officer David Sharma. The AI world is increasingly dominated by a small number of extremely well-funded U.S. tech companies such as OpenAI, Google, Meta and Anthropic. But Mr. Wigdor argues that the real opportunity for Canada is not in the physical infrastructure that powers AI or in the large language models behind chatbots, but in developing applications that use AI to solve problems and 'empower people to do things they never could before.' He likens the current state of AI to a Charlie Chaplin movie, whereas he wants to make Citizen Kane. 'People are looking at the current AI chatbots and thinking, that's what AI is,' he said. 'We'll help people to look further into the future.' One idea Axl is pursuing is an AI agent for computer coding education called CodeAid. Instead of having the agent teach the student, the roles are reversed. The AI agent will be trained with knowledge gaps that the student has to fill in through teaching. To source ideas, Axl will identify promising concepts from the research community. 'Often in academia, we sort of look down on having a commercial and immediate impact with our work,' said Mr. Grossman, who is also Axl's chief scientist. 'We really do believe you can do innovative work that is impactful.' Axl is also partnering with Canadian corporations to learn about their operations and develop ideas for new AI applications. Axl will launch the company, with the possibility of the partner corporation becoming the first customer and an investor. Dillon Consulting is the first partner to be announced publicly, but Mr. Sharma said Axl also has arrangements in the legal and accounting industries. However, even if Axl launches dozens of successful AI companies over the next few years, there is nothing stopping a foreign tech giant from snapping them up and siphoning away intellectual property. Mr. Wigdor doesn't seem too vexed about that prospect at this stage. Acquisitions are necessary for entrepreneurs and researchers to gain the experience and the funds (or as he puts it, 'expertise and wealth among the geeks') to invest back into the Canadian tech ecosystem. 'I'm playing the long game,' he said. 'This is my retirement project.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Utica Zoo mourns loss of Warty Pigs
UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — The Utica Zoo is in mourning on Wednesday after the death of a pair of animals in their care. According to a release by the zoo on Wednesday, May 28, Axl and Ace — the zoo's two remaining Visayan Warty Pigs — were humanely euthanized just shy of 17 years old. The two pigs had been at the zoo since 2018 with Ozzy, another of their kind. The zoo had said that at almost 17 years old, both pigs were at 'a remarkably advanced age for their species.' According to the Wild Pigs Specialty Group, this particular species of pig — native to the Philippines — normally live to be about 18 years old in captivity. 'These pigs were not only ambassadors for their critically endangered species but also vibrant personalities in our zoo family,' Nicole Blance, Veterinary Programs and Records Manager at the Utica Zoo, said in a statement. 'Their presence will be sorely missed, and their legacy will live on in the education and awareness they helped foster for their wild counterparts.' The zoo said that the decision was made to humanely euthanize the pigs due to progressive decline in their health. The decision was arrived at after consultation with the zoo's veterinary and animal care team, which also took into consideration the pigs' complex social needs. According to Allison Snyder — the director of communications at the zoo — for pigs like Axl and Ace, the loss of a companion can cause significant psychological stress and increase the risk of injury. Snyder said that after the loss of Ozzy, both pigs observed signs of grief and depression. According to the zoo, both Axl and Ace spent their final days doing their daily routines, which included rooting in the dirt, rearranging rocks, engaging with enrichment activities and sunbathing together. Snyder said in a statement that the two were provided with additional enrichment, affection from keepers and a variety of their favorite treats. The zoo says that they will continue to share the story of Axl and Ace to raise awareness about the pigs' challenges in the wild. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Guns N' Roses woo Indian fans with electrifying comeback after 13 years
Legendary rockers Guns N' Roses deliver a night of nostalgia, power solos, and unforgettable fan moments when they rocked the stage at the Mahalakshmi Race Course. The venue erupted with energy as fans gathered in thousands to witness the rockers LIVE. Frontman Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, and bassist Duff McKagan led the charge, joined by Richard Fortus, Dizzy Reed, Melissa Reese, and Isaac Carpenter. The band opened the night with the explosive Welcome to the Jungle, instantly electrifying the atmosphere. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want Lower Bills Without Changing a Thing? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo Throughout the evening, Axl connected with the crowd, acknowledging their energy and enthusiasm. 'How you doing? It's good to see you again Mumbai,' he exclaimed to roaring applause. The band delivered a setlist filled with timeless hits, Sweet Child o' Mine, Live and Let Die, You Could Be Mine, and the emotionally powerful November Rain, complete with Axl's haunting piano solo. Fans sang along, cheered, and lived every lyric, making it an emotionally charged celebration of classic rock. One of the highlights of the show was Slash's jaw-dropping guitar solos, which reminded the crowd why GNR's music still resonates decades later. McKagan's rhythmic bassline added depth to the set, perfectly anchoring the band's raw, high-energy sound. As the night neared its end, Axl asked, 'Mumbai, are you ready for one more?' and the band launched into Paradise City, their final number. The crowd erupted, belting every word as fireworks and lights crowned the night. In a touching gesture, the band returned to the stage post-show to gift their worn merchandise to fans, ending the night on a high note. Check Out Latest English Official Music Audio Song - 'Guns N' Roses' Sung By G-Eazy & Post Malone Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Fox News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Josh Duhamel says Midwest lifestyle allows him to teach kids lessons they can't learn in LA
Josh Duhamel prefers to raise his sons in his rural cabin in Minnesota rather than in the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. During an interview with Fox News Digital, the "Ransom Canyon" star said his 11-year-old son, Axl, is able to get to work in Minnesota, which isn't possible in Los Angeles. "I think it's really about the memories that we make as a family. My parents love coming out here to hang out. My wife's parents love hanging out here. My son, Axl, my 11-year-old … L.A., there's a lot of good things about L.A., but it's good for him to get his hands dirty and come out into the woods and help dad with whatever," Duhamel said. He shared a story about a time that Axl had to help his dad, which he wasn't too happy about. "We had a tree that fell over in the winter. We had to go out there and cut it up and put it in the back of the side-by-side and go stack the wood. He's not doing that in Los Angeles, you know, and he sort of does it begrudgingly, but he's going to be grateful because one day he's going to have to do all this stuff, you know, and I think that it's these little lessons." WATCH: Josh Duhamel says Midwest lifestyle allows him to teach kids lessons they can't learn in LA Duhamel shares Axl with ex-wife, Fergie. The actor married Audra Mari in 2022 and the couple share one-year-old Shepherd. "Shepherd is 15 months, he's going to be doing the same thing, and I think that these things just help contribute, because we're 40 miles from anything here, there's nothing. We have to pretty much fend for ourselves when we're out here. So these kids need to learn how to do this stuff, and they're not going to get to do that in L.A. "So these kids need to learn how to do this stuff, and they're not going to get to do that in L.A." "So, for that reason alone, I think it's great. Plus they just love it. They have buddies out here, they get to, you know, go jet skiing and tubing and all those things that you do on a lake," Duhamel said. Since Duhamel has spent time off the grid in Minnesota, he has been able to become detached from a lot of things. "Something happens as soon as I get out here, my blood pressure drops. It's not about my phone. It's not about anything else other than making sure we got what we need to survive. It's not like we're living hand to mouth. We make sure we have enough groceries and stuff. Yesterday, we came out here, the septic tank was frozen. We had to figure out how to get it unfrozen so that we had water. I can't just call up some dude to come out and do it. It's just us. So we got to figure it out," Duhamel said. He continued, "I think it's those kinds of things that I really like about it because it's back to the basics. It's making sure you got enough food, enough water, you're warm enough and then, from there, we just start to have the fun. So it's not taking advantage of or taking for granted those luxuries and amenities that I think we all grow accustomed to." Living off the grid is not just a personal choice for Duhamel and his family; he actually encourages everyone to give it a try. WATCH: Josh Duhamel finds similarities in his 'Ransom Canyon' character "It's always fun because I love having friends come out here. First, it's a lot when you first get out here, but then after two or three days, they just love it. Like I said, we're not living in tents out here, but it takes a day or two to get accustomed to it because you're away from all those things. I do think that it's good for people to get a taste of it. I think that we're missing a lot of that. I think we're sort of floating a lot with getting so caught up in our phones and what's being fed to us. I think if you can just step away from that, you get a new perspective on things," Duhamel said. On April 16, Duhamel jokingly told Country Living that he referred to his property as his "doomsday cabin," which is located up a two-mile dirt path. Duhamel purchased some land and spent the last 15 years building a rustic cabin. He eventually added a second parcel that came with a hunting shack and a third parcel that came with a home. "It's a cute little red cabin with a stone chimney that sits right on the water; it's basically a Terry Redlin painting," he told the outlet, referring to the famous artist's scenic work. In Duhamel's professional life, the rom-com icon has taken to the small screen to star in Netflix's "Ransom Canyon." In the series, Duhamel plays Staten Kirkland, who is fighting to protect his land in a small town in Texas. "I think Stan and I, I really related to this dude from the very beginning because of the things I mentioned before with having grown up in North Dakota, having a property out here at the cabin that I have a lot of pride in. I've spent a lot of years shaping and building this place out. And I don't have cattle or horses, but I do have tractors and all the other stuff that I think you need to run a ranch. "And that's really what I think drew me to this guy on the outset. I really sort of felt like it was something I could dig into and that he just lost his wife and his son a year to the day we start the show. So he's really starting from a dark place and sort of, how do I navigate that? How do I pull this guy out of this thing? And he's sort of back into the real world for the first time in years," Duhamel said. "It was just a lot of fun. I love this world. I love his character. And we have a great cast and a great team of writers and a crew that helped make it all come to life," he concluded. The "Ransom Canyon" cast also includes Minka Kelly, James Brolin and Jack Schumacher. It's streaming now on Netflix.
