Canada's AI Future: Balancing Sovereignty and Global Collaboration for Economic Growth
October 8, 2025
Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, emphasized that Canada has a significant opportunity to leverage its AI talent and energy to foster economic growth, rather than merely hosting data centers or exporting power.
He warned that success in AI for Canada depends on effectively translating AI capabilities into job creation and economic activity, avoiding a resource extraction model similar to Maine's lumber industry.
Canada's AI strategy and international cooperation will be pivotal in defining its role and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape.
He warned that Canada could fall into a trap of building data centers and shipping energy abroad without capturing local economic benefits, similar to Maine's resource export model.
Implementing these measures could help Canada avoid becoming merely a data resource exporter and instead capture the economic value of its AI capabilities.
The Canadian government is actively developing its first AI strategy, with a task force considering how to balance sovereignty with international collaboration, especially with foreign tech giants like OpenAI, and aims to finalize this strategy by the end of 2025.
During a visit to Canada, Lehane discussed with AI Minister Evan Solomon the country's upcoming AI strategy, which faces choices between a strict sovereignty approach or a more open model that fosters domestic growth and international partnerships.
OpenAI has launched 'OpenAI for Countries' to help nations expand data center capacity and customize ChatGPT for local languages and customs, a program from which Canada could benefit.
The Canadian government is engaging with global partners to position itself as a value-added participant in AI, aiming to foster local innovation, talent, and international collaboration.
Lehane stressed that no country can develop the entire AI tech stack alone due to high costs and resource demands, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation.
The success of Canada's AI strategy will depend on how well it can utilize its talent and energy while navigating international partnerships without compromising sovereignty.
Lehane made these remarks at the Elevate tech conference in Toronto, which runs until October 10, 2025, highlighting the importance of strategic AI development for Canada's future.
Summary based on 9 sources
Get a daily email with more AI stories
Sources

BNN Bloomberg • Oct 8, 2025
Canada must turn its AI advantages into economic opportunities: OpenAI exec
Yahoo Finance • Oct 8, 2025
Canada must turn its AI advantages into economic opportunities: OpenAI exec
Times Colonist • Oct 8, 2025
Canada must turn its AI advantages into economic opportunities: OpenAI exec
St. Albert Gazette • Oct 8, 2025
Canada must turn its AI advantages into economic opportunities: OpenAI exec