BNP Paribas partners with Mila to advance AI research, talent development and innovation in Canada

BNP Paribas, a leading European provider of banking and financial services, and Mila, a renowned AI research institute, have entered a partnership to support research and talent development in the field of artificial intelligence in Canada. The collaboration brings together BNP Paribas’ financial expertise with Mila’s established AI research ecosystem with the aim of supporting AI innovation, fostering talent and identifying business opportunities for both organizations in Canada and internationally. This initiative is part of BNP Paribas’ ongoing efforts in AI research, including partnerships and programs.

Frank Roncey, Group Chief Risk Officer, BNP Paribas said:

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping various aspects of the financial services—from risk management to client experience. By joining forces with Mila – a global hub of AI excellence – BNP Paribas aims to strengthen its research capabilities, tap into exceptional talent and co-create solutions that support sustainable growth for our clients.”

Stéphane Létourneau, Executive Vice President, Mila, added:

“Mila brings together top researchers, students, and start-ups. Partnering with BNP Paribas allows us to further apply our expertise in the financial sector, providing our community with invaluable real-world challenges and application opportunities while strengthening our capacity to translate cutting-edge AI research into societal impact.”

Core pillars of the partnership

The collaboration grants BNP Paribas access to Mila’s ongoing scientific developments, enabling early awareness of emerging technologies and fostering dialogue with leading researchers. It also establishes direct links to Mila’s talent pool comprising over 1500 students and scholars, through priority access to recruitment events, internship programs, and executive-level AI training designed for senior leaders. These elements support BNP Paribas’ commitment to responsible AI and its integration into the Group’s long-term strategy.

Beyond research and talent, the partnership will also amplify BNP Paribas’ integration within Montreal’s dynamic AI ecosystem, as well as contribute to Mila’s global presence and outreach.

Areas of collaboration

BNP Paribas will participate in Mila’s AI hub, working alongside startups and academic partners to support the development and practical application of AI solutions. Mila will benefit from opportunities to validate research in operational environments.

A few examples:

• Joint research initiatives – Collaborative projects will explore the applications of artificial intelligence in areas that support more resilient economies such as environmental, social and governance (ESG), geofinance, risk assessment and the analysis of potential risk interconnections.

• Talent development – Direct access to Mila’s academic community will support the development of technical and research expertise within both organizations.

• Responsible AI – Both organizations share commitment to ethical and inclusive AI development, contributing to positive societal outcomes.

About BNP Paribas

Leader in banking and financial services in Europe, BNP Paribas operates in 64 countries and has nearly 178,000 employees, including more than 144,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking C Services for the Group’s commercial C personal banking and several specialized businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment C Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate C Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporate and institutional clients) to realize their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial C personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Türkiye, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.

About Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute

Founded by Professor Yoshua Bengio of the Université de Montréal, Mila is the world’s largest academic research center for deep learning, bringing together over 1,500 specialized researchers in machine learning. Based in Montreal and funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, Mila’s mission is to be a global center for scientific advancements that inspire innovation and the growth of AI for the benefit of all. Mila is a globally recognized non-profit organization for its significant contributions to deep learning, especially in the fields of language modeling, automatic translation, object recognition, and generative models. For more information, visit mila.quebec.