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Canada has unveiled a national artificial intelligence strategy aimed at creating 250,000 jobs by 2031, boosting economic growth and helping domestic AI companies compete against larger US technology rivals.
Announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, the "AI for All" strategy includes a new C$500 million fund to support Canadian AI companies and additional investments to accelerate AI adoption across businesses.
The plan reflects a growing trend among governments worldwide to treat AI as both an economic development priority and a strategic technology sector.
Under the strategy, the Canadian government estimates AI adoption could increase the country's gross domestic product by 3%, generating nearly C$200 billion in economic value through higher productivity and wider commercialization of AI technologies.
Canada already has a significant AI footprint, with the country's digital sector employing about 800,000 people and contributing more than C$140 billion to GDP. Around 150,000 jobs are currently linked directly to AI-related activities.
A centerpiece of the strategy is the creation of a C$500 million Canadian Tech Growth Fund designed to help domestic AI companies access capital and scale more effectively against larger US competitors. The fund will also allow the government to take equity stakes in Canadian technology firms.
The government is also allocating another C$500 million through the Business Development Bank of Canada to help small and medium-sized businesses adopt AI tools and technologies.
The announcement highlights a broader policy shift toward encouraging AI adoption beyond large enterprises and technology companies, with governments increasingly focusing on helping smaller businesses benefit from emerging AI capabilities.
Alongside economic measures, the strategy includes new initiatives focused on AI governance and safety.
Canada said it plans to introduce updated privacy legislation aimed at protecting children's data, combating deepfakes and strengthening consumer control over personal information. The government will also invest C$50 million to monitor emerging AI risks and conduct evaluations of advanced AI models.
However, officials did not provide a timeline for implementing the proposed regulatory measures.
The strategy underscores how countries are increasingly competing to build domestic AI ecosystems while balancing economic ambitions with concerns around privacy, security and responsible AI development.
For enterprises, the plan signals continued government support for AI investment, commercialization and workforce development as organizations move from experimentation to large-scale deployment of AI technologies across industries.
Announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, the "AI for All" strategy includes a new C$500 million fund to support Canadian AI companies and additional investments to accelerate AI adoption across businesses.
The plan reflects a growing trend among governments worldwide to treat AI as both an economic development priority and a strategic technology sector.
Under the strategy, the Canadian government estimates AI adoption could increase the country's gross domestic product by 3%, generating nearly C$200 billion in economic value through higher productivity and wider commercialization of AI technologies.
Canada already has a significant AI footprint, with the country's digital sector employing about 800,000 people and contributing more than C$140 billion to GDP. Around 150,000 jobs are currently linked directly to AI-related activities.
A centerpiece of the strategy is the creation of a C$500 million Canadian Tech Growth Fund designed to help domestic AI companies access capital and scale more effectively against larger US competitors. The fund will also allow the government to take equity stakes in Canadian technology firms.
The government is also allocating another C$500 million through the Business Development Bank of Canada to help small and medium-sized businesses adopt AI tools and technologies.
The announcement highlights a broader policy shift toward encouraging AI adoption beyond large enterprises and technology companies, with governments increasingly focusing on helping smaller businesses benefit from emerging AI capabilities.
Alongside economic measures, the strategy includes new initiatives focused on AI governance and safety.
Canada said it plans to introduce updated privacy legislation aimed at protecting children's data, combating deepfakes and strengthening consumer control over personal information. The government will also invest C$50 million to monitor emerging AI risks and conduct evaluations of advanced AI models.
However, officials did not provide a timeline for implementing the proposed regulatory measures.
The strategy underscores how countries are increasingly competing to build domestic AI ecosystems while balancing economic ambitions with concerns around privacy, security and responsible AI development.
For enterprises, the plan signals continued government support for AI investment, commercialization and workforce development as organizations move from experimentation to large-scale deployment of AI technologies across industries.
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