Toronto – iA Financial Group pledges $1 million over the next decade to the SickKids Foundation, bolstering the SickKids AI (SKAI) program. This initiative drives responsible artificial intelligence in pediatric care, research, education, and operations to improve child health outcomes.
The partnership dates back to 2006, building on previous contributions totaling $500,000 from 2021 to 2025. The latest commitment highlights ongoing efforts to enhance pediatric medicine through innovation.
Leadership Statements
“Community engagement forms a key part of our sustainable development strategy. We back projects that improve life for Canadians,” stated Denis Ricard, President and CEO of iA Financial Group. “This donation empowers the foundation to advance children’s health care at SickKids and beyond.”
“iA Financial Group remains a valued long-term partner, and we appreciate their sustained backing,” said Julie Garcia Sjogrim, Vice-President of Corporate and Community Partnerships at SickKids Foundation. “This $1 million boosts ethical, human-centered AI integration in care, research, and education, yielding better results for children and families.”
SKAI Program Pillars
The SKAI program targets three core areas:
- AI Service: A dedicated team builds, assesses, monitors, and expands AI tools hospital-wide.
- AI Discovery: Research efforts uncover new insights via AI development and use.
- AI Community: A network of experts, learners, and collaborators promotes ethical AI in child health.
SickKids, a leading global pediatric hospital, employs this funding to pioneer safe, scalable AI solutions worldwide. iA Financial Group ranks among Canada’s top insurance and wealth management firms, with U.S. operations. Established in 1892, it trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange as IAG.
