In a high-level exchange, Prime Minister Mark Carney told the Pope that Canada intends to lead internationally on responsible AI, stressing that AI must serve humanity.

The Pope underscored the need for robust AI regulation and urged developers to prioritize the common good over profit and to resist contributing to warfare or irreversible lethal AI decisions.

Pope Leo XIV, in his encyclical Magnifica Humanaitas, warned that data collection by AI can threaten human dignity and called for safeguards, transparency, and proportionate limits on intrusive technologies.

Canada’s stance centers on cautious regulation paired with industry collaboration, contrasting with a comparatively permissive U.S. approach and aligning with partnerships among mid-power nations favoring regulation.

The strategy envisions international collaboration to align AI standards, co-invest in innovation, and build an ecosystem rooted in democratic values, including infrastructure plans like sovereign AI data centers in British Columbia.

Canada expects to release a national AI strategy soon, led by Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon, focusing on keeping the country competitive with the United States and improving public-service AI.

Context includes scrutiny of Canada’s AI approach following a tragedy in Tumbler Ridge and ongoing safety discussions with OpenAI about account suspensions and safeguards.

Public policy is expected to address safety and social impacts as Canada moves toward releasing its national AI strategy, with debate over regulatory approaches and potential delays.

Minister Solomon has stated that Canada must balance enthusiastic adoption of AI with caution toward critics and safety concerns.

Ottawa’s policy debate centers on balancing regulatory safeguards with innovation, shifting away from a purely adoption-driven stance amid rising public concern.

The Vatican discussions also touched on returning Indigenous artifacts to Canada and broader calls for global peace.

Canada seeks stronger international partnerships with other middle powers that favor tighter AI regulation, signaling a shift away from the U.S. stance.