Hybrid Tech Solutions: Innovating with AI from Prince Edward Island

From Vietnam to PEI: A Search for Adventure and Opportunity

Paul Nguyen is the CEO of Hybrid Tech SolutionsLimited, a technology company based in Charlottetown, PEI. Originally from Vietnam, he arrived in Prince Edward Island in February 2023 in pursuit of adventure. As a technology entrepreneur with a PhD in Navigation and Air Traffic Control,his first start-up was based in Vietnam. Alongside his development team, he began to seek a new challenge that would be global in both reach and impact after he sold the company. At that time, they had publicly launched the product,and customer feedback was very positive. The product applies Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide a chat box that helps small and medium-scale businesses to interact with their online customers through human-like,autonomous 24/7 conversations.

Paul learnt about the Island through word-of-mouth; a friend who had moved years prior was full of praise for the pace of life, landscape, and welcoming nature of Island residents. Since moving, he says that the province has lived up to the hype, “I really enjoy the clean and calm environment, and people here are kind.”

Transforming Tourism with Artificial Intelligence

His new product, Maika, is peculiar because it is specifically trained to understand the needs of customers in the travel industry and provides personalized responses for hotels, airlines, bus and cruise operators. With PEI renowned as a hub for tourism, especially in the summer months, Paul believes that Maika has lots to offer, especially to smaller, more boutique operators. “Because AI models learn and improve every day and are available round the clock, they can help smaller companies increase their output without raising their overhead costs. I think that we can maximize benefits to these businesses that may not have a lot of development resources or knowledge about what AI can do,” he says.

The Promise and Challenges of AI Innovation

With a background in computer engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree, Paul is at the intersection of both technology and business. He sees advancements in technology, especially in machine learning, as a win-win. Considering other unintended impacts, however, Paul acknowledges that although AI can improve business efficiency and bring more customers, it also means that fewer workers may be needed in certain industries. However, he sees the elimination of repetitive tasks as an opportunity for upskilling and greater value creation. “This is how many advancements in technology generally work; AI provides greater opportunities for creativity, efficiency, self-improvement,” he says.

Now almost two years as a PEI resident, Paul has enjoyed participating in the events and opportunities organized by PEI Connectors. “PEI Connectors has helped me and others like me to integrate. I really appreciate how much of a difference it has made in my experience as an immigrant and entrepreneur,” he says.

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