Nextech AR - AI Program Manager, Mirjana Prpa
AI Program Manager, Mirjana Prpa
Source: Simon Fraser University
  • NexTech AR (NTAR) has launched a new artificial intelligence division and internship program
  • The company hopes to gain a competitive edge and create new portfolio offerings to complement its augmented reality products
  • The goal is to harness the power of AI to offer a self-serve AR solution for everyone
  • The AI program is a partnership with Northeastern University in Vancouver
  • NexTech AR is up 7.33 per cent and is trading at C$6.17 per share

NexTech AR (NTAR) is launching a new artificial intelligence division and internship program in Vancouver.

NexTech AR specializes in virtual and augmented reality (AR) experience technologies and services for virtual and hybrid eCommerce, education, conferences and events.

On Wednesday, the company announced the creation of its new artificial intelligence (AI) division. Through an initial team of three AI experts, the company hopes to gain a competitive edge and create new portfolio offerings to complement its AR.

The company is building this division with the goal of becoming a leader in AR which it believes can only happen with the merging of these two technologies.

It says it will utilize AI within the content creation of the company’s AR solutions that will allow users to not only experience AR, but also create their own experiences. The ultimate goal being to harness the power of AI to offer a self-serve AR solution for everyone.

NexTech’s AR Product Manager, Mirjana Prpa will lead a growing team that includes new AI experts and interns. The AI program is a partnership with Northeastern University’s Vancouver satellite campus for computer science students.

The program will provide students with a hands-on learning experience to equip them with the tools they need for a career in this field.

“By creating a program that connects academia with industry experts, we hope to create long term relationships with students by recognizing their talents and offering them opportunities to aid in their professional development,” Prpa said.

The director of computer science at Northeastern University’s Vancouver location, Bethany Edmunds, said the university’s focus is to widen the tech talent pipeline in Vancouver – and that this new program will help do that.

“Knowing that VR, AR is a technology that is very strong in Vancouver, we wanted to help support that and bring that piece to the Northeastern brand.”

Edmunds said the institution has found that when companies approach them, they genuinely care about students who are able to work upon graduation.

“I think that experience is extremely important. NexTech feels that way as well which is why I think it’s a great partnership,” Edmunds said.

The satellite location opened earlier this year and as of this September, had around 40 students enrolled. 

NexTech AR is up 7.33 per cent and is trading at C$6.17 per share at 10:20am EST.

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