Bell Canada has finalized an agreement with Cohere to utilize its artificial intelligence infrastructure services through Bell AI Fabric, in collaboration with two additional companies. The partnership involves Bell offering data center space at its Merritt, B.C. facility. Buzz High Performance Computing, a subsidiary of Hive Digital Technologies Ltd. in Vancouver, will deploy an AI-native cloud layer using hardware from Quebec-based Hypertec and Nvidia accelerated computing to support AI workloads.
Toronto-based Cohere plans to leverage the platform to operate its foundational models and deliver secure AI solutions to government and business clients. The consortium aims to establish the necessary environment for conducting vital research and development on AI models using Canadian infrastructure.
Michel Richer, president of Bell AI Fabric, emphasized the significance of the agreement in facilitating organizations’ transition from AI experimentation to production within Canada. Bell introduced Bell AI Fabric over a year ago to cater to Canadian businesses and governments for various AI services, including strategy development, application creation, and infrastructure deployment.
As part of its strategic shift towards tech services, Bell’s parent company, BCE Inc., raised its revenue forecast for its expanding AI business. BCE anticipates generating approximately $2 billion in revenue from AI-driven enterprise solutions by 2028. The company also launched tech services brand Ateko and cybersecurity brand Bell Cyber, witnessing a 113% year-over-year revenue growth from AI-powered solutions across these brands in the first quarter.
Bell and Cohere previously announced a partnership aimed at delivering comprehensive sovereign AI solutions to government and enterprise customers nationwide. The collaboration allows customers to access Cohere’s agentic AI platform North through Bell AI Fabric, enabling the creation of AI agents and automation solutions without the burden of managing AI infrastructure.
Michael Pelosi, Cohere’s country manager for Canada, emphasized the importance of deploying AI on secure and reliable infrastructure that aligns with Canadian standards, underscoring the collaboration’s role in providing advanced AI solutions tailored for practical use in Canada.