The fully funded program builds intersectional AI literacy for the next generation of environmental leaders
(FEBRUARY, 11, 2026, EDMONTON, AB) – Environmental stewardship is entering a new era, one where the ability to process massive datasets in real time is the key to protecting our planet. Following the successful launch of the AI for Earth Scholarship in December, Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) is excited to introduce the subject matter experts (SMEs) who are bringing this curriculum to life.
Supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the program is delivering fully funded training to 750 Canadian undergraduate and graduate students, directly advancing a federal mandate for youth empowerment and career development.
Applications to participate in the first-ever AI for Earth cohort are now open with limited scholarships available. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2026.
Quote from Marlene McNaughton, Chief Revenue Officer, Amii
“We are really excited to be working on this first project with the innovative thinkers at Environment Canada and Climate Change. This collaborative partnership extends to our very impressive subject matter experts, demonstrating the breadth of deep expertise in a range of critical fields. Our entire team is looking forward to congratulating this very first cohort of AI for Earth scholarship recipients.”
Quote from Adam Danyleyko, Product Owner, Training, Amii
“Our team is thrilled to work with such diverse expertise in the AI for Earth program. By bridging the gap between environmental science and machine learning, we are preparing the next generation to lead. This breadth of expertise provides the real-world context needed to turn complex meteorology data into meaningful, field-ready solutions for communities across Canada.”
Expertise from the Soil to the Stars
To ensure the curriculum moves beyond theory and into practical, field-ready application, Amii has assembled a team that understands the planet from every possible angle to share their unique perspectives with learners:
- Real-Time Data in the Eye of the Storm: Nevin de Milliano, a member of the Prairie Storm Chasers, Nevin brings the high-stakes reality of the field to the program. His perspective informs how AI can act as an essential partner in 'ground truth' observation, using real-time tools to process critical data that protects lives, livestock, and property.
- Conquering New Frontiers with Massive Scale: Dr. Tanya Harrison, is a planetary scientist who has worked on NASA's Mars rover missions and brings a unique vantage point to the opportunities within vast satellite datasets. With hundreds of sensors orbiting Earth, she knows better than most how AI could act as our 'automated eyes' to unlock insights that would be impossible for humans to process alone—connecting solutions from the surface of Mars to the remote landscapes of Canada’s Arctic.
- Building Public Trust in the Backyard: Many Canadians grew up trusting their local broadcast meteorologists as the first source for weather information and how it affects their day-to-day lives. This focus on the "human layer" is vital, as citizens are affected by disinformation and misinformation related to weather and the environment. A veteran broadcast meteorologist joins Amii for the program to share the mindset of professionals who translate global climate trends into actionable local intelligence, especially when AI-driven insights are only as effective as the public’s ability to trust and act on them.
The "Fast-Forward Button" for Climate Action
In a field rich in data, AI serves as a "fast-forward button," reducing weeks of complex climate simulations to minutes. This precision allows the next generation to move beyond observation and toward proactive, real-time intervention.To ensure these tools are used responsibly, the curriculum is anchored in UNESCO’s AI Competency Framework for Students. This aligns training to Amii’s mission of AI for Good and For All, which includes a Principled AI Framework that integrates the UNESCO Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a specific focus on Climate Action and Life on Land.
About the AI for Earth Scholarship
Designed for maximum flexibility, the scholarship provides 750 students with high-impact, asynchronous learning. The curriculum features Machine Learning Foundations 1 & 2 workshops alongside ten specialized modules tailored to environmental applications. In addition to a full year of access to the AI Literacy for Everyone platform, recipients earn digital LinkedIn badges that include an overview of learning objectives and competency alignment —providing a clear, demonstrable advantage to future employers.
The AI for Earth Scholarship Program builds on Amii’s long-standing track record of providing best-in-class AI literacy training to more than 250,000 individuals. It is the most recent addition to Amii-led Canadian Sovereign AI initiatives, including AI Pathways: Energizing Canada’s Low-Carbon Workforce, a new initiative supported by the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Training Fund, the AI Literacy for Everyone platform, and K-12 AI Literacy.
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About Amii: The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) is one of Canada's three National AI Institutes. Based in Alberta, Amii supports world-leading research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) and translates scientific advancement into industry adoption. Amii is dedicated to advancing leading-edge research, delivering exceptional educational offerings, and providing business advice—all to bring AI out of the lab and into the world. www.amii.ca
