Cohere 7/16 × University of Toronto: North platform as the orchestration layer for the university's AI + AI Kitchen evaluation environment, founders' homecoming

Cohere's July 16, 2026 blog announces a multi-year agreement with the University of Toronto to integrate Cohere's enterprise AI technology into a forthcoming university-wide AI platform supporting responsible AI adoption across teaching, research, student services, administration, and operations. Cohere's North platform will serve as an orchestration layer within U of T's AI platform, helping users manage complex tasks and securely access trusted information across university systems; supports faculty, librarians, staff, and students while keeping sensitive data secure and under the university's control. Cohere's technology will also power U of T's 'AI Kitchen' — a secure environment for exploring and evaluating AI tools through vetted applications, appropriate data access, and privacy-conscious frameworks. Founders' connection: Cohere was founded in 2019 by former U of T students Aidan Gomez, Nick Frosst, and Ivan Zhang, making this a homecoming partnership. No funding figures are disclosed in the article.