Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new National Council on Artificial Intelligence to provide independent, practical and timely advice on Canada's AI transformation.
- The council will advise on AI adoption, economic competitiveness, research, talent, government transformation and sovereign AI infrastructure.
- The council will support Canada's five-year AI for All strategy, which aims to expand responsible AI adoption while strengthening Canadian control over critical AI capabilities.
Canada Launches National AI Council
Canada has announced a new Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence as the federal government moves forward with its national AI strategy.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the council on October 2, 2026. The council will provide independent, practical and timely advice on Canada's AI transformation.
What the AI Council Will Do
The new council will advise the federal government on several areas connected to artificial intelligence.
Key Areas of Focus
- AI adoption across Canada
- Economic competitiveness
- Artificial intelligence research
- AI talent and skills
- Government transformation
- Sovereign AI infrastructure
- AI safety and governance
The council will also help connect public and private stakeholders involved in Canada's AI ecosystem.
Who Is Part of the Council
The council brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, technology leaders and public-sector experts with experience across Canada's AI ecosystem.
Announced members include Ajay Agrawal, Yoshua Bengio, Sanja Fidler, John Graham, Gillian Hadfield, Jordan Jacobs, Eric Lamarre, Valérie Pisano, Senator Thomas Pitfield, Jody Thomas, Louis Vachon, Michelle Zatlyn and Patrick Pichette as an ex officio member.
The group includes expertise spanning artificial intelligence research, business, technology, finance, public policy and entrepreneurship.
Canada's AI for All Strategy
The new council is part of Canada's broader AI for All strategy, which the federal government launched in June 2026.
The strategy focuses on building trust in artificial intelligence, expanding opportunities for Canadians and strengthening Canada's sovereign control over critical AI capabilities.
Government's AI Goals
The federal government has outlined several targets under the strategy:
- Generate an additional $200 billion in economic growth.
- Create 250,000 new AI-related jobs over five years.
- Increase AI adoption from just over 12% to 60% by 2034.
- Strengthen Canada's domestic AI capabilities.
- Support responsible AI adoption across the economy.
These are government targets and their achievement will depend on future investment, implementation and adoption.
Why Sovereign AI Infrastructure Matters
Canada is also placing greater attention on sovereign AI infrastructure.
AI development depends on computing power, data, research capabilities, skilled workers and access to advanced technology.
Building stronger domestic infrastructure could help Canadian researchers, businesses and public institutions develop and use AI while maintaining greater control over critical technology capabilities.
AI Adoption Across Canadian Industries
Artificial intelligence is already being used in several areas of Canada's economy.
Examples include:
- Healthcare diagnostics and patient care
- Precision agriculture
- Transportation
- Logistics
- Infrastructure maintenance
- Business operations
- Government services
The federal government's strategy aims to expand these applications while addressing issues related to safety, governance and public trust.
AI and Government Transformation
Artificial intelligence is also becoming part of Canada's efforts to modernise public services.
The federal government has launched Digital Transformation Canada to support improvements in government service delivery and help Canadian digital and AI companies scale their technologies.
The National Council on Artificial Intelligence will provide advice on Canada's AI transformation as these broader government initiatives proceed.
TwikUp's Perspective
Canada's new National Council on Artificial Intelligence adds another layer to the country's growing AI policy framework.
The council's impact will depend on how its recommendations translate into government programs, investment decisions, technology adoption and practical outcomes for businesses and Canadians.
For Canadian businesses, the focus on AI adoption, talent and infrastructure could become increasingly relevant as artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday operations.
At the same time, the government's economic and employment targets should be viewed as policy objectives rather than guaranteed results.
The announcement shows that artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of Canada's economic and technology policy, with greater attention being given to both AI adoption and domestic capabilities.
What Comes Next
The National Council on Artificial Intelligence will provide advice as Canada continues implementing its AI for All strategy.
Its work could influence future discussions around AI investment, research, talent development, business adoption, government services and sovereign technology infrastructure.
Key Points to Watch
- Future recommendations from the council
- Government investment in AI infrastructure
- Growth in AI adoption among Canadian businesses
- Development of Canada's AI workforce
- New AI governance and safety measures
- Progress under the AI for All strategy