Canada launches task force to update its AI strategy

Canada has announced the AI Strategy Task Force, a national initiative to develop an updated strategy for artificial intelligence.

The government intends to shape the forthcoming AI strategy with substantive input from a wide range of industry stakeholders, including representatives from large AI companies such as Cohere and VDURA, as well as academics, researchers, and First Nations' organisations. The task force will deliver recommendations on key topics, including research, talent development, industry adoption, commercialisation, public trust, education, infrastructure, and security. Each member will take part in consultations throughout October 2025.

Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, launched the initiative. He stated that the AI Strategy Task Force and a national thirty-day consultation, described by the government as a "national sprint" that will form the backbone of efforts to guide national policy at a critical time for technological change and geopolitical shifts.

Last week, the minister spoke at Montreal's ALL IN conference, where he delivered a keynote on the steps needed to secure sovereign infrastructure and long-term competitiveness within Canada's tech sector. Solomon hinted at the task force during this presentation.

In the announcement, the Minister emphasised the role of the new task force, which brings together leaders from across the Canadian AI ecosystem. Members will consult their respective networks and gather actionable insights to inform recommendations for the updated AI strategy. Canadians are also encouraged to contribute through the government's consulting portal.

"The Government of Canada is moving quickly toward our vision for AI and digital sovereignty. The AI Strategy Task Force and the ideas gathered through our national sprint will generate bold, pragmatic and actionable recommendations to guide Canada's next AI strategy," said Solomon. This strategy will accelerate the development of nation-building AI and data infrastructure, drive economy-wide adoption and help build the strongest economy in the G7."

Wide-ranging themes

The government will collect advice on multiple themes, including:

• Research and talent
• AI adoption across industry and governments
• Commercialisation of AI
• Scaling Canadian AI 'champions' and attracting investment
• Building safe AI systems and strengthening trust
• Education and skills building
• Infrastructure
• Security

Commitment and investment

The government's renewed effort builds upon previous milestones. Canada was the first country globally to introduce a funded national AI strategy with the launch of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, which aimed to embed AI across the economy and society. Since 2017, approximately CAD $742 million has been invested in the Canadian AI ecosystem.

Guided by ongoing advice from the Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence, the government launched a CAD $2 billion Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy in 2024, funding public and commercial infrastructure to provide sufficient computational resources to support Canadian researchers, businesses and innovators.

The Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence has advised the government since 2019. It will continue to do so, with a particular focus on implementing the new AI strategy once it is developed.