Tech@RBC Vancouver Tech Hub helps to drive RBC’s global AI ambitions

RBC recognized the transformational power of AI almost a decade ago when it established RBC Borealis, its dedicated AI research institute. At that time, we were interested in how we could leverage AI to better understand our clients, deliver personalized experiences and drive more efficient and effective operations.

Today, we have six RBC Borealis locations and more than 850 world-class AI developers and data engineers, including more than 100 PhDs. And RBC recently shared its bold ambition to achieve $700 million to $1 billion in enterprise value generated from AI-driven benefits by 2027.

Our thriving RBC Borealis team in Vancouver plays a vital role in how RBC helps clients lead better lives and shape their own banking experiences while enabling our employees to make informed decisions faster. Tommy Xu and Raquel Aoki are part of the Borealis team in Vancouver where they collaborate with their RBC partners across the country and globally and experience first-hand the benefits of being part of our growing Vancouver Hub.

“Working together in person in Vancouver has been a huge plus for my team and has allowed us to brainstorm, test ideas, and push the boundaries of AI research in a way that’s both fast-paced and rewarding,” said Tommy, a Machine Learning Software Engineer at RBC Borealis.
“Our broader team is spread across different time zones, which works in our favour because we get great coverage for our systems without losing that real-time collaboration.”

“The Hub is a wonderful addition to the city of Vancouver and will provide several career growth opportunities now and into the future,” adds Raquel, Senior Machine Learning Researcher at RBC Borealis. “I’ve grown my career without being limited by my location. I’ve attended workshops and virtual courses for professional development and in-person events, just like other RBC offices. The Hub also provides a unique opportunity to extend the One RBC culture to the West Coast.

West coast colleagues feel like an important part of the RBC enterprise despite the distance from the bank’s main offices in Toronto:

“We have access to tools that enable cross-office collaboration, effort to accommodate different time zones on large meetings and a wide range of seniority level employees in Vancouver who work together and with our colleagues across Canada,” said Raquel.

Of course, the beautiful city of Vancouver adds to the experience thanks to its quick access to nature, vibrant arts scene and a diverse community. Team outings and casual meetups create a tight-knit community with a well-rounded culture where everyone is excited to collaborate and push each other forward.
--

"You can really feel RBC’s investment and expansion in Vancouver, both in finance and engineering and it’s exciting to be part of shaping that growth,” says Tommy.