Build or Buy: Canada's AI Minister on Sovereignty

Solomon's framing points to a government intent on domestic control over AI development. The AI strategy, still being rolled out, is expected to include investments in compute infrastructure, talent, and adoption across industries. The Anthropic ban signals a willingness to block foreign models that do not meet Canadian standards. The social media bills, including the Online News Act and the Online Harms Act, aim to force platforms to pay for news and remove harmful content. Each of these policies creates winners and losers among Canadian tech companies.

For startups building AI models or applications, the message is clear: the government wants homegrown solutions. That could mean more funding, procurement opportunities, and regulatory protection. For foreign tech giants, it means tighter rules on data, content, and algorithms. Solomon did not mince words on the trade-off. "We either make the rules here, or we follow someone else's," he said.

The minister is not known for brevity. He committed to the conversation, and the interview runs nearly an hour. Topics ranged from the specifics of the AI strategy to the broader question of Canadian sovereignty in a digital world. Solomon acknowledged the complexity of the file, noting that the technology changes day by day.

The full interview is available on The BetaKit Podcast, presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada.