MONTRÉAL, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bombardier, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and TECHNATION Canada are proud to announce the winners of the SustAInable Aviation Student Innovation Challenge, a competition aimed at empowering Quebec’s post-secondary students to shape the future of business aviation.
During an inspiring day at Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Dorval, Québec, the student finalists presented their proposals that leveraged artificial intelligence to support the aviation industry’s continued efforts toward sustainability. Quebec’s Chief Innovation Officer Luc Sirois kicked-off the event with a keynote speech that addressed the current state of AI.
Throughout the challenge, students were supported by Bombardier and TCS’ seasoned experts, who provided regular insights and mentoring to the various teams. Executives from both companies also took part in this thrilling event, serving on the jury for the final stage of the competition. And, to further demonstrate the potential of artificial intelligence, the judging panel also included a robot, powered by groundbreaking Generative AI technology. The robot interacted with the students with human-level conversational and social skills, listened to all the pitch presentations and posed questions to the finalists in both French and English.
“At Bombardier, innovation is an integral part of our DNA. We were therefore thrilled to open our doors to Quebec students with a passion for technology, and to hear their ideas for continuing to propel the world of business aviation towards a more sustainable future,” commented Brigitte Larivière, Chief Information Officer, Bombardier. “We are impressed by the creativity shown by the students and now look forward to welcoming the competition winners into our internship program.”
– Brigitte Larivière, Chief Information Officer, Bombardier
“We are so proud to support the next generation of leaders and innovators, and we’re excited to see how these transformative ideas influence Bombardier,” Soumen Roy, Executive Director and Country Head, Canada, TCS. “At TCS, we believe that innovation lies at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and collaboration. This challenge offers students an incredible opportunity to contribute to the future of AI and aviation while gaining exposure to Montreal’s dynamic tech community.”
– Soumen Roy, Executive Director and Country Head, Canada, TCS
“Sustainability is a strategy that every industry must deploy to protect our planet, and the aviation sector is helping lead the way. The SustAInable Aviation Challenge is a unique initiative that has engaged our next generation of innovators. TECHNATION, Bombardier and TCS have come together as partners to address critical issues like sustainability, presenting real-world challenges for Canada’s future tech talent to tackle while using innovative AI solutions. A win-win for Canada and for all!”
– Angela Mondou, President and CEO, TECHNATION
“Montréal is a major aerospace hub, and we have a clear ambition to make the metropolis a world leader in decarbonizing aviation. That’s why I’m delighted to see an initiative like the SustAInable Aviation Student Challenge in Montréal. It’s all about innovation that promotes sustainable development through artificial intelligence, areas of expertise that make our metropolis shine on a global scale. What’s more, listening to the younger generation is of paramount importance to our Administration, and this challenge directly involves students. It mobilizes their creativity by encouraging them to share their ideas, and offers them tremendous opportunities for the future.”
– Valérie Plante, mayor of Montréal
Nearly 100 students enrolled in the challenge from various disciplines including engineering, computer science and commerce, with 25 students moving on to the final round. The challenge offered participants the chance to win cash prizes totaling $16,000 as well as secure valuable internships, while making a lasting impact on the future of aviation.
About Bombardier
At Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), we design, build, modify and maintain the world’s best-performing aircraft for the world’s most discerning people and businesses, governments and militaries. That means not simply exceeding standards, but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs.
For them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation—innovating to make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate about delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers greater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect. Because people who shape the world will always need the most productive and responsible ways to move through it.
Bombardier customers operate a fleet of more than 5,100 aircraft, supported by a vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across six countries. Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. In 2024, Bombardier was honoured with the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Brands and Communication Design.
For Information
For corporate news and information, including Bombardier’s sustainability plan and reports, visit bombardier.com.
Learn more about Bombardier’s industry-leading products and customer service network at bombardier.com. Follow us on X @Bombardier.
About Tata Consultancy Services
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) is a digital transformation and technology partner of choice for industry-leading organizations worldwide. Since its inception in 1968, TCS has upheld the highest standards of innovation, engineering excellence and customer service.
Rooted in the heritage of the Tata Group, TCS is focused on creating long term value for its clients, its investors, its employees, and the community at large. With a highly skilled workforce of over 607,000 consultants in 55 countries and 180 service delivery centres across the world, the company has been recognized as a top employer in six continents. With the ability to rapidly apply and scale new technologies, the company has built long term partnerships with its clients – helping them emerge as perpetually adaptive enterprises. Many of these relationships have endured into decades and navigated every technology cycle, from mainframes in the 1970s to Artificial Intelligence today.
TCS sponsors 15 of the world’s most prestigious marathons and endurance events, including TCS New York City Marathon, TCS London Marathon and TCS Sydney Marathon with a focus on promoting health, sustainability, and community empowerment. TCS generated consolidated revenues of US $29 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. For more information, visit www.tcs.com
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b02a708f-d016-4d50-af78-ebafdf148476
