Canadian officials and Cohere executives sign an agreement to strengthen sovereign AI innovation and enhance public sector services. Image Source: ChatGPT-5
Canada Partners with Cohere to Advance National AI Leadership
Government of Canada signed an MOU with Cohere to accelerate AI adoption in public services.
The deal supports sovereign AI, protecting Canada’s digital independence.
Officials emphasize AI’s role in efficiency, security, and competitiveness.
Cohere, founded in 2019, builds enterprise-grade AI models and already partners with Oracle, Dell, RBC, SAP, and others.
Canada has invested over $4.4 billion in AI since 2016, including $2.4 billion in Budget 2024 for compute, adoption, and safety.
Initiatives include the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, the AI Safety Institute, and a Voluntary Code of Conduct for generative AI.
Canada’s MOU with Cohere
The Government of Canada has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Toronto-based Cohere Inc., aimed at strengthening the nation’s AI ecosystem while deploying AI solutions to improve public sector operations.
The agreement was signed by Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, and Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement.
Officials said the partnership will help deliver more efficient, effective, and productive public services while reinforcing Canada’s position as a global leader in responsible AI.
A Focus on Sovereign AI
The partnership places special emphasis on sovereign AI — technology developed domestically to safeguard digital sovereignty and data security.
Minister Solomon said: “By working with Canadian AI innovators like Cohere, we’re laying the groundwork for a more efficient, effective and productive public service while helping ensure that Canada remains competitive in this new digital era.”
Minister Lightbound added: “This MOU with Cohere is an opportunity to explore how sovereign AI can strengthen public services, protect our digital sovereignty and create opportunities for Canadians. By engaging with home-grown innovators, we can better understand and harness the potential of these technologies, ensure they are developed and deployed responsibly, and help position the Government of Canada as a strong market for Canadian AI solutions.”
Cohere’s Role
Founded in 2019, Cohere Inc. is a Canadian multinational technology company focused on security-first enterprise AI. The company builds cutting-edge AI models and end-to-end products designed to solve real-world business problems.
CEO Aidan Gomez highlighted the national significance of the deal, saying: “AI will supercharge economic productivity, fortify national security and future-proof Canada’s competitiveness. That's why building this technology and developing the next generation of AI talent right here in Canada is essential.”
Cohere already partners with leading global enterprises, including Oracle, Dell, RBC, Bell, Fujitsu, LG CNS, and SAP.
Canada’s AI Leadership
Canada was the first country to launch a national AI strategy in 2016. Since then, it has committed over $4.4 billion to AI and digital research infrastructure, including $2.4 billion announced in Budget 2024 for AI compute expansion, adoption programs, and the creation of a national AI Safety Institute.
The government is also advancing responsible AI governance through:
The Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, focused on long-term research, commercialization, and talent development.
A Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems, encouraging best practices across industry.
The Implementation Guide for Managers of AI Systems, offering public sector leaders direction on safe and responsible deployment.
The creation of an Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence to guide policy decisions and strengthen accountability.
These measures aim to make Canada not only a hub for AI research, but also a model for responsible AI governance and global leadership.
Q&A: Canada–Cohere AI Partnership
Q: What did Canada announce with Cohere?
A: Canada signed an MOU with Cohere to modernize government services with AI and strengthen the domestic AI ecosystem.
Q: Why is this partnership significant?
A: It emphasizes sovereign AI, digital sovereignty, and supporting Canadian-made technology in both public and private sectors.
Q: Who is Cohere?
A: Founded in 2019, Cohere is a Canadian enterprise AI company building AI models and working with global partners like Oracle, SAP, and RBC.
Q: How much has Canada invested in AI?
A: Since 2016, Canada has invested $4.4 billion, including $2.4 billion in 2024 for infrastructure, adoption, and safety initiatives.
Q: What is sovereign AI?
A: AI developed domestically to ensure national control, data security, and independence from foreign technology providers.
What This Means
Canada’s MOU with Cohere is more than a procurement deal — it’s a statement about the country’s digital future. By committing to sovereign AI, Canada is setting an example for how governments can safeguard independence while still competing on the global stage.
For Canadians, this means the potential for faster, more efficient public services built on technology developed at home. For the AI industry, it signals that governments are becoming active partners in shaping markets, not just regulators.
Canada is showing that sovereign AI can be both a tool of better governance and a foundation for global leadership in the digital economy.
Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.