Canada puts more than C$2 billion behind 10-year AI plan
What's new: Ottawa wants a public supercomputer, more domestic data centers and faster residency for AI workers.
Canada has set out a 10-year artificial intelligence strategy backed by more than C$2 billion in spending, aiming to expand AI use across government and business while reducing reliance on foreign providers. The plan calls for a secure public supercomputer for Canadian researchers and companies, support for large-scale AI data centers serving domestic clients, and C$500 million in investments in Canadian AI firms, with room for government equity stakes. Ottawa also pledged funding for fellowships and more university research chairs to help keep talent in Canada and attract skilled AI workers with accelerated entry and permanent residency. The strategy says wider AI adoption could create 250,000 jobs, though it does not estimate potential job losses.