The Legal Innovation Zone has launched the Ontario AI Legal Challenge, which offers $80,000 in seed funding to a team using AI in legal services.
Launched in partnership with the Minister of the Attorney General, the Challenge — which will select six startups — builds on the Ontario Access to Justice Challenge, which offered a $25,000 top prize.
“I believe artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize the justice system and simplify difficult processes,” said Attorney General Yasir Naqvi. “I am proud that our government is supporting this great initiative that will open doors for people who would otherwise not have access to justice.”
In addition to the seed funding, the winners will be able to move into the Legal Innovation Zone for four months and access top mentors and advisors.
“Ontario has long been recognized as a leader and pioneer when it comes to AI and more recently has been playing a similar leadership role in legal technology,” said Chris Bentley, Managing Director of the Legal Innovation Zone. “The LIZ along with MAG are now looking to bridge the gap between those two sectors and drive innovations in the delivery and access to legal services to benefit consumers.”
Applications for the Challenge are due Friday, November 10, and finalists will be chosen to pitch to a panel of judges the week of November 20 at the LIZ.