In Montreal, Canada’s established telecom companies are vying for a role in the federal government’s push for digital sovereignty in artificial intelligence. At the All In Conference, Mirko Bibic, CEO of Bell Canada, emphasized the importance of digital sovereignty amid a changing geopolitical landscape. Digital sovereignty, which lacks a formal definition, generally involves creating digital infrastructure and storing data domestically. Bell is advancing this through its AI Fabric project, establishing AI data centers in British Columbia, and partnering with AI company Cohere to provide sovereign AI solutions. Similarly, Telus announced Canada’s first fully sovereign AI Factory, continuing its legacy of building national technical infrastructure. Both companies view sovereignty as crucial in the evolving tech landscape. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Major Projects Office aims to fast-track nation-building projects, including a “sovereign cloud,” aligning with these initiatives. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly highlighted the need for new alliances and economic growth through AI, emphasizing collaboration despite global unpredictability.
Are traditional telecom companies leading the charge for digital sovereignty in AI?
