Canada’s AI – Prime Minister Mark Carney says foreign AI platforms could be used against Canadians, warning that Canada’s reliance on cross-border data and outside infrastructure leaves it with too little leverage. In launching the government’s AI strategy at the World Econ
In Davos, Prime Minister Mark Carney framed artificial intelligence as the defining technology of the era—and then warned that Canada’s dependence on foreign platforms could turn that technology into a threat.
Standing at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Carney said Canada is too reliant on foreign suppliers. He argued that the way AI is built and operated today makes that vulnerability especially sharp: “most of the data used in AI goes across the border.”
Carney said the consequences are not theoretical. As with other forms of economic integration like supply chains, he warned that AI “could be weaponized against Canadians.”
“That creates real risks that foreign entities could access Canadian data, deploy AI products that shape Canadian lives without reflecting our values,” Carney said. “And tilt the playing field against Canadian firms — while Canada lacks the leverage to push back or the ability to control.”
The comments came as Carney unveiled the government’s strategy on AI. spelling out both the security and economic stakes of what it calls a shift in power. The strategy warns that “AI is a game of scale that is dominated by hegemons and hyperscalers. ” and says that dynamic “poses a significant security and economic challenge as countries around the globe risk becoming subordinate or reliant on them.”.
It also points to the country’s position in the global race. The strategy says Canada “has a major adoption gap.” Carney echoed that concern directly, saying only 12% of Canadian businesses are using AI, with adoption lower among small and medium-sized businesses.
For Carney. the plan is not only about protecting data and privacy—it is also about building enough knowledge and infrastructure inside Canada to reduce dependence. He said his government will introduce legislation to better protect data and privacy. and he added that Canada will build a world-leading public AI supercomputer.
The strategy document lays out why it believes the current setup leaves Canada exposed: “Canadian researchers train models on foreign cloud platforms. Canadian companies store sensitive data in foreign jurisdictions. Government operations rely on infrastructure Canada does not own,” the document says.
Carney said the government will respond by “building its key sovereign capabilities domestically whenever possible, while partnering with trusted allies or buying existing market solutions when appropriate.”
It also sets out a diplomatic and economic approach. describing Canada’s role in helping other “middle powers” or like-minded countries navigate the era ahead. The strategy calls for leadership through a coalition model. arguing that “a coalition of aligned democracies. who pool research. talent. compute and procurement power. would offer a credible alternative to the dominant market actors that increasingly define the global AI landscape.”.
Education is another focus. Carney said his government will offer artificial intelligence training to Canadians in schools and community centers through a literacy initiative. He said free AI learning kits. including courses. will help Canadians to identify bias and misinformation and “give them the AI tools to learn and help with their careers.”.
Carney also drew attention to Canada’s standing globally, saying the country ranks near the bottom of countries in AI training, literacy and trust.
Taken together, the strategy paints a picture of a country trying to catch up in a market that is built largely outside its control—while insisting that doing so is necessary before AI’s reach deepens into everyday life across Canada.
Mark Carney Canada AI strategy foreign AI platforms data privacy artificial intelligence World Economic Forum Davos AI literacy public AI supercomputer sovereign capabilities hegemons and hyperscalers
So basically our data gets stolen by robots? cool cool.
I don’t get it, I thought AI was all local now like on your phone. If it’s crossing borders then yeah that’s sketchy. But also who’s “weaponizing” it? seems dramatic.
Carney is saying 12% of businesses use AI which sounds like a lot?? like why would anyone need it to begin with. Also Davos folks always warn about “hyperscalers” like that’s a real person. I’m pretty sure my job’s not even on a foreign server so how does this affect me lol.
This reads like Canada is mad that the US/other countries own the tech, so they want leverage… but can they just not use the platforms? Like won’t that slow everything down? The “weaponized” line is wild though because I feel like AI is already shaping stuff and we never consented. Also “game of scale” dominated by hegemons… ok but isn’t Canada kinda the hegemony too if they control the policy? idk.