OpenAI Signals Interest in Expanding Canadian AI Infrastructure
MONTREAL - OpenAI is indicating a willingness to invest in Canada’s artificial intelligence infrastructure, even as it faces a copyright lawsuit from Canadian media outlets, according to recent statements. The company acknowledges a need to stimulate demand for AI infrastructure within Canada to support the country’s push for “digital sovereignty.”
The Liberal government is actively seeking to bolster homegrown tech companies through procurement initiatives. Ottawa recently signed a non-binding agreement with Toronto-based AI firm Cohere Inc. to explore AI applications within the public service. Prime Minister Mark Carney has also championed a sovereign cloud initiative aimed at increasing Canadian control over computing power.
Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon has described digital sovereignty as “the most pressing policy and democratic issue of our time,” emphasizing that achieving it requires collaboration with international partners, including the United States.
Dev Saxena, a senior global affairs advisor with OpenAI in Ottawa, stated in an interview that “global players” are essential to building Canada’s sovereign AI capacity. ”To actually build out some of this sovereign capacity in Canada, under Canadian jurisdiction, you actually do need global players at the table,” Saxena said. “No country can do it end-to-end. It’s just way too complicated of a supply chain, and way too expensive.”
Though, OpenAI is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with The Globe and Mail and other Canadian media companies, which allege copyright infringement due to the use of news content to train its AI models. OpenAI maintains its practices are permissible under copyright law and has argued that ontario courts lack jurisdiction over the case, as the company does not conduct business in the province.
