The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that the Mila artificial intelligence institute in Quebec is establishing a $100-million (U.S.) venture capital fund, aiming to invest in over 55 early-stage AI companies. The Globe's Joe Castaldo writes that this effort is in partnership with Inovia Capital in Montreal, as the federally supported research hub increasingly focuses on helping scientists in creating new businesses. The Venture Scientist Fund, as it will be called, has not closed yet. But Mila Ventures director general Stephane Marceau said there is strong interest from potential investors. He said, "We've had so much inbound from Canada and the U.S." The fund will target pre-seed AI companies based on emerging research not just from Mila, but Canada's wider ecosystem, including universities. The Venture Scientist Fund aims to retain top AI talent and intellectual property in Canada. Mr. Marceau said, "Researchers have essentially told us, 'We need support from our institutions. We need access to capital.'" Mr. Marceau joined Mila last year to lead its ventures arm, which has programs to help commercialize research. He has seen first-hand the pull that the United States can exert on Canadian AI experts.