Boson AI now has half its staff in Toronto

BetaKit reported that Boson AI, which builds voice AI models, now has about 20 of its 40 staff in Toronto. Chief executive Alex Smola said the city offered computing power, talent and predictability. He said Boson grows faster in Toronto than at its Santa Clara headquarters because Canadian work permits are easier to get. Boson has also begun buying most of its computing power from a data centre in Barrie, Ontario.

For context, Statistics Canada said Toronto’s professional, scientific and technical jobs rose from 249,000 in 2006 to 532,000 in 2024. Ottawa has proposed a faster route for the permits behind such hiring: an AI stream, announced on June 4, that could issue permits in 20 days or less. It would run through the Global Talent Stream, a federal fast track for hiring skilled foreign workers. Employers there usually need a labour market impact assessment, the federal check before hiring a foreign worker.

But Mr Smola warned that permit requirements have reportedly tightened and may soon affect Boson.

Sources: BetaKit · Boson AI · Statistics Canada · CIC News · Employment and Social Development Canada