Submission to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology on the opportunities, risks and regulatory frameworks for AI in strategic industries

Canada’s global leadership in artificial intelligence is powered by its universities — the source of the research, talent and partnerships driving innovation across Canada’s strategic industries. Universities not only advance cutting-edge AI discovery, but also operate within trusted, publicly accountable frameworks that ensure these technologies are developed securely, ethically and in the public interest. As AI becomes a key driver of productivity and economic growth, strengthening Canada’s ability to develop, deploy and retain the benefits of AI domestically will be essential to long-term competitiveness and sovereignty.

In our submission, Universities Canada calls for

1. Investing in AI talent and workforce readiness, including expanding work-integrated learning opportunities and strengthening partnerships between universities and employers to help Canadians develop and apply AI skills in real-world settings;
2. Enabling domestic commercialization of AI innovations by creating dedicated support for university technology transfer offices to retain intellectual property and scale Canadian discoveries;
3. Building sovereign, secure AI infrastructure by supporting university-based research computing and data systems to strengthen Canada’s ability to store, process and retain data domestically; and
4. Ensuring universities remain core partners in AI policy and regulation, grounded in scientific evidence, ethics and responsible research practices.

Canada’s ability to fully realize the benefits of AI will depend on a coordinated approach that strengthens talent, infrastructure, commercialization and governance. By leveraging universities as key partners across each of these areas, Canada can support responsible AI adoption, enhance productivity and ensure that the economic and societal benefits of AI are realized here at home.