Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warns foreign AI platforms can be used against Canadians
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a government AI strategy warning that foreign AI platforms pose risks to national security and economic sovereignty, while emphasizing the need for domestic AI infrastructure and global alliances among democracies. The plan includes legislation to protect data, a public AI supercomputer, and initiatives to boost AI literacy among Canadians, as the country lags in adoption and training compared to global peers.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a national AI strategy warning that reliance on foreign AI platforms threatens Canadian data security and economic independence. Speaking in Toronto, Carney highlighted that most AI data crosses borders, exposing Canadians to risks of exploitation by foreign entities while tilting the competitive landscape against domestic firms. The strategy acknowledges Canada’s vulnerability as a middle power in a global AI market dominated by hegemons like the U.S., calling for a coalition of aligned democracies to counterbalance dominance by hyperscalers. The government’s plan outlines immediate steps to reduce dependency on foreign AI infrastructure, including legislation to strengthen data and privacy protections. Canada will also develop a world-leading public AI supercomputer to support domestic research and reduce reliance on foreign cloud platforms. The strategy notes that government operations and businesses currently depend on infrastructure outside Canadian control, creating security and economic risks. To address a ‘major adoption gap,’ the government will launch AI literacy initiatives, offering free training kits and courses in schools and community centers. These programs aim to equip Canadians with tools to identify bias and misinformation while fostering AI skills for career development. Carney emphasized Canada’s low global ranking in AI adoption, with only 12% of businesses using AI, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. The strategy proposes a balanced approach: building domestic capabilities where possible while partnering with trusted allies or purchasing existing solutions when appropriate. By fostering collaboration among like-minded democracies, Canada seeks to create a credible alternative to dominant global AI actors. The move reflects broader concerns raised by Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, where he warned of economic coercion by global powers.
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