Canada launches AI strategy to advance digital sovereignty, adoption

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the AI for All national strategy, outlining plans to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption and strengthen critical AI infrastructure while addressing potential governance challenges.

The strategy aims to bolster protections against AI-related harms and provide free access to AI training for Canadians. It also targets the creation of more than 250,000 jobs and seeks to increase Canada's AI adoption rate from the current 12% to 60% by 2034.

The plan would also look to strengthen the economy by CAD200 billion through "better productivity, including by advancing AI use and commercialization in key sectors."
Despite Canada's continued digital growth and research efforts, the Prime Minister's Office warned the country must address AI adoption rates and continue to expand its digital sovereignty efforts as it faces "technological change, and a global race to secure the talent, infrastructure, and innovation that will define the future."

AI advancement

The strategy was developed with input from more than 11,000 stakeholders and the AI Strategy Task Force. To drive AI growth, the initiative will support small- to medium-sized enterprises in adopting AI across crucial industries, including government agencies, healthcare, transportation, energy, robotics and agriculture.
The government also plans to amend data protection regulations to address AI-related risks by proposing measures targeting harmful practices, including deepfakes and surveillance pricing.

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Minister Evan Solomon said AI for All, "will give people the confidence to use AI safely, help businesses adopt it, and ensure more of the value is created here at home. This is how we protect people, grow our economy, reflect our values, and deliver real benefits in everyday life."

To support digital growth, the plan announced the country's first AI Missions program aimed at improving the secure use of AI tools in healthcare by advancing the deployment of AI systems for patient care.

"AI is here. The question is whether it will improve the lives of all Canadians or benefit only a few. AI can shorten our emergency room wait times and make a small business more competitive, if it is governed by Canadian values with a clear goal of improving the lives of all Canadians," Carney said.

Canada also announced its National AI Literacy Initiative, which will provide AI education to Canadians and training opportunities to more than 3,000 educators with accessible AI learning tools. The strategy emphasized expanding AI education and professional development to ensure post-secondary students have access to responsible AI tools that can advance the digital economy.

As part of the initiative, the government will work to provide "90,000 AI-related jobs and work placement opportunities for young Canadians."

Jobs and Families and Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario Minister Patty Hajdu emphasized the strategy's undertakings, noting through the initiative "we're equipping workers with the tools they need to strengthen their skills and helping them seize new opportunities in an AI-enabled economy."

Digital sovereignty

The strategy also highlights Canada's continued commitment to strengthening cooperation with international partners through the Sovereign Technology Alliance, an initiative launched with Germany to advance technological collaboration and promote AI innovation.

Alongside the Sovereign Technology Alliance, Canada will focus on utilizing its previous partnerships with Australia, the EU, Finland, Germany, India, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, and the U.K., "to expand Canada's AI industry, attract high-paying careers, and advance innovation."

In addition to its global coordination measures, the strategy will advance Canada's AI skills through investments in the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research AI Chairs program and develop "entry pathways for highly skilled workers through the Global Talent Stream," to ensure organizations have the opportunity to attract and retain AI governance talent.

The government also plans to prioritize sustainable clean energy to power a public AI supercomputer.

"The global economy is rapidly transforming, and our government is focused on ensuring Canadian industry is positioned to compete and win," said Industry and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Minister Mélanie Joly. "Our government's new AI Strategy will support responsible AI adoption and boost productivity and investment, while at the same time delivering real benefits for Canadians and protecting our digital sovereignty."