Giesecke+Devrient opens AI hub in Montréal at Mila

Giesecke+Devrient has launched an AI Hub in Montréal, based at Mila, the Quebec artificial intelligence institute.

The hub is part of the company's Global Centre of Excellence for AI and will develop applied systems for security-sensitive sectors including cybersecurity, financial technology and digital identity.

The company will invest more than CAD $80 million in Canada over five years to support the operation. The funding will support a global team of about 60 AI specialists, researchers and product specialists.

The move builds on roughly CAD $40 million the German group has already invested in Canada over the past decade in infrastructure, security modernisation and digital transformation. Giesecke+Devrient has operated in Canada since 1962 and already has sites in Markham, Ontario, and Dorval, Quebec.

The Montréal hub will focus on AI systems for environments where privacy, security and regulatory compliance are essential. Its work will include authentication, cybersecurity for digital infrastructure, payment and transaction security, and internal AI projects across the business.

Initial projects are already under way, including AI-based insights into eSIM anomalies, tracking and logistics tools, and a banking assistant.

Why Montréal

Canada was chosen for its established AI research base and concentration of talent, with Montréal identified as a key centre. By placing the hub within Mila, Giesecke+Devrient aims to strengthen links between academic research and commercial security applications.

Founded by Professor Yoshua Bengio, Mila is one of the largest academic AI research centres focused on deep learning. The institute is built on a partnership between Université de Montréal and McGill University and has developed a broad network of research and industry collaborations.

The launch gives Giesecke+Devrient a larger role in a market where governments and companies are under pressure to apply AI in tightly regulated systems without weakening security controls. It also reflects a wider trend of industrial groups setting up dedicated AI teams near research institutions to shorten the path from research to deployment.

Headquartered in Munich, Giesecke+Devrient reported turnover of EUR €3.2 billion in its 2025 financial year and employs about 14,500 people. The company operates across digital security, financial platforms and currency technology, with 118 subsidiaries and joint ventures in 41 countries.

Gabriel von Mitschke-Collande outlined the company's rationale for the new centre. "At G+D, we see AI as a powerful driver of value creation for our customers and our business. That is why we established our AI Hub in Montréal, where cutting-edge research becomes real, secure technology with purpose," said Gabriel von Mitschke-Collande, Chief Digital Officer and Member of the Group Management Board at Giesecke+Devrient.

"Together with Mila, we aim to build AI solutions that people can trust, because security, trust, and human benefit are not add-ons for us. They are the foundation of meaningful and sustainable innovation," von Mitschke-Collande said.

Canadian and Quebec AI leaders also welcomed the announcement, describing it as an endorsement of the country's research base and industrial appeal.

"Canada is proud to be at the forefront of artificial intelligence, bringing together world-class talent with a strong foundation of trust, ethics and innovation - underpinned by our new National AI Strategy, AI for All. An example of this leadership is G+D selecting Montréal for its next AI Hub, which highlights the strength and global competitiveness of Canada's AI ecosystem. By working with leading international partners, we are advancing secure, responsible AI that supports critical infrastructure, drives economic growth, and delivers real benefits for Canadians and people around the world," said the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

"We are proud that G+D has chosen Mila to establish its new AI Hub in Canada. This partnership underscores the strength of our ecosystem and Mila's ability to bridge cutting-edge research with real-world applications in areas where security, trust, and responsibility are paramount. As Canada strengthens its strategic economic and defense partnerships, attracting leading global players to Montreal is essential for the years to come," said Valérie Pisano, President and CEO of Mila.