AI in Kamloops: researchers, labs & companies.
An honest, locally-written guide to artificial intelligence in Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola region — who does the research, where to learn, and how businesses can get help. Maintained by AIRL; updated as the ecosystem grows.
Who does AI research in Kamloops?
Kamloops' AI research activity centres on Thompson Rivers University (TRU), whose Computing Science department teaches and researches machine learning, and whose president's HorAIzon initiative funds AI projects across campus.
AIRL — AI Research Lab (this lab)
Founded by Dr. Ghazanfar Latif (World's Top 2% Scientists, IEEE Senior Member, 14 US patents), AIRL is the region's dedicated AI research lab: 21 funded projects across health AI, defence & disinformation, assistive technology, Indigenous language preservation, and applied AI — with open datasets and 115+ publications. About AIRL →
TRU Computing Science & HorAIzon
TRU's Computing Science department offers AI and machine-learning coursework and undergraduate research (UREAP), and the university-wide HorAIzon Presidential Initiative funds applied AI teams — including the $130,000 AI for Health and Healing project led by AIRL.
Innovation organizations & industry
Kamloops Innovation
The region's startup incubator supports early-stage tech ventures, several of which apply machine learning in their products.
CIBA — Central Interior Business Accelerator
Runs applied programs including the AI Prototyping Sprint, where local ventures work with TRU faculty and student micro-teams to build deployable AI prototypes on real operational data.
Local adopters
Kamloops businesses in construction, environment, logistics and services are beginning to adopt AI through regional programs and Mitacs-supported university partnerships — often their most affordable route to real AI capability.
Are you a Kamloops-area company or researcher doing AI work that belongs in this guide? Tell us — we'll gladly consider adding you.
Where to learn AI in Kamloops
- TRU degree pathways — Computing Science programs with AI/ML coursework, plus the Master in AI program designed in 2025.
- Undergraduate research — UREAP awards ($7,000) let TRU students do real AI research; AIRL supervises several each year.
- Professional workshops — AIRL delivers corporate AI training, AI literacy workshops, and executive briefings for BC organizations. Teaching & Training →
- Free lectures — open video series in AI, systems programming, Java, and graphics on YouTube.
Getting AI help for your business
- Research-backed consulting — AI strategy, feasibility assessment, and built ML/LLM systems from AIRL, grounded in 150+ delivered industry projects. Industry & Partnerships →
- Mitacs co-funding — match your R&D spend with federal support while a graduate researcher builds your solution.
- Prototyping sprints — CIBA's program pairs ventures with faculty-mentored student teams for rapid working prototypes.
Talk to the lab.
One conversation is usually enough to scope whether AI can genuinely help.