Polytechnics Canada Showcase: Democratizing AI with Algonquin College
Posted on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026
Kevin Holmes, Senior Program Manager, Applied Research and Candi Jeronimo, Executive Engagement, Amazon Web Services Canada.
On May 13, Kevin Holmes, Senior Program Manager, Applied Research and Candi Jeronimo, Executive Engagement, Amazon Web Services Canada, led a discussion at the Polytechnics Canada Showcase on democratizing AI and making enterprise technology accessible to main street business and social sector organizations.
The presentation focused on about how small businesses and community organizations have the most to gain from AI, but often lack the time, resources and technical expertise to adopt it. Without that support, many organizations miss opportunities to improve services, strengthen operations and stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Kevin Holmes presenting at Polytechnics Canada Showcase.
Holmes highlighted how Algonquin College’s AI Accelerator Hub, powered by AWS Canada, is working to close the gap by offering an AI-enabled platform to support the AI adoption journey. The Virtual Intelligence Business Enabler aka VIBE was introduced as a student developed AI platform designed to help small organizations understand AI adoption opportunities that fit their specific needs.
“Colleges and Polytechnics are particularly well suited to help support adoption of AI in Canadian small business and social sector organizations across the country,” said Holmes who leads the Algonquin College initiative with AWS Canada. “We have deep ties in our respective communities’ and the amazing emerging talent in our students”.
Together, Holmes and Jeronimo demonstrated how applied research, student innovation and industry supporters like AWS Canada are making AI more approachable for organizations.
To learn more about the Algonquin College AI Accelerator Hub.