The Information and Communications Technology Council of Canada (ICTC) and the European Union’s AI, Data and Robotics Association (Adra) have developed a joint paper outlining key areas for international cooperation to advance Artificial Intelligence (AI) for productivity, innovation, and industrial transformation.
Canada and the EU have an opportunity to grow their AI ecosystems through fostering economic cooperation. ICTC and Adra have identified six key opportunities for significant collaboration that capitalize on the strengths of Canada and the EU’s AI ecosystems:
- Leveraging AI for business transformation through AI testbeds, regulatory sandboxes, ecosystem-building, and advancing industry applications of AI.
- Promoting ethical use of AI by harmonizing regulation, aligning on privacy protection, AI governance, and risk mitigation.
- Building AI knowledge and skills through AI talent exchanges, reskilling and upskilling, and alignment of curricula.
- Enabling just transitions to an AI-enabled economy through the development of best practices in labour rights and sustainable AI development and international cooperation on labour standards.
- Investing in international AI innovation hubs that leverage Canada’s quantum computing expertise and the EU’s Horizon Europe initiative for joint AI-quantum research development, cybersecurity collaboration, and collaboration on AI-driven climate solutions.
- Establishing public-private partnerships by co-designing AI policies, developing AI best practices for infrastructure, and developing public-private collaboration models.
Canada and the EU each stand as leaders in distinct yet strategically compatible areas of AI development and can play a critical role in shaping the future of AI through their respective regulatory approaches, areas of expertise, and strategic partnerships. While the EU leads globally in AI governance, robotics, and industrial applications, Canada excels as a world leader in AI research expertise and access to critical minerals. Both regions possess numerous AI innovation hubs that contribute significantly to advancements in AI on the global stage.
The economic opportunity in establishing a robust bilateral framework for collaboration could be immense, with the potential to contribute trillions to the global economy and transform both industries and labour markets.
Read the Full Report
Read the full report, AI Sovereignty and Economic Growth: Strengthening Transatlantic Leadership Between the EU and Canada, at https://goictc.link/EUCanada.
“Canada and Europe share a deep commitment to responsible technology. We are thrilled to work with ADRA on this important research initiative that lays the foundation for collaborative AI innovation and governance—leveraging the strengths of both economies to support sustainable business growth, climate resilience, talent development, and cutting-edge scientific research.” – Namir Anani, President and CEO of ICTC
“Working alongside ICTC has been a distinct pleasure, allowing us to craft not just a framework for collaboration, but a shared EU-Canada vision for global AI leadership. This reflects our unified dedication to advancing AI that is both powerfully innovative and inherently ethical, trustworthy, safe, and explainable—ultimately empowering our citizens and fortifying our economies through a just transition.” – Philip Piatkiewicz, Secretary General of Adra
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a neutral, not-for-profit national centre of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, ICTC has delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses. The organization’s goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation and that Canada’s workforce remains competitive on a global scale. Learn more at https://ictc-ctic.ca.
About Adra
The AI, Data and Robotics Association (Adra) represents the private side of a public-private partnership with the European commission on AI, data, and robotics (ADR). Adra was established on May 21, 2021, by five prominent European organizations—Big Data Value Association, European Association for Artificial Intelligence, European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems, Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe, and euRobotics.
Adra envisions a Europe leading in the development and deployment of technology, where human-technology interactions are seamless, safe, and trusted. This is a powerful vision that requires deep technology changes and the emergence of new, currently unavailable value chains in Europe to do this. Learn more at https://adr-association.eu/.
