Canada to Provide Funding, Buy Equity Stakes in AI Startups (1)

Canada will provide funding to help artificial intelligence companies scale up, and plans to take equity stakes in the country’s most promising AI firms to accelerate the creation of so-called “national champions.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government released a plan on Thursday to promote AI adoption across sectors and government, while safeguarding against the risks the technology can pose. By 2034, the government aims to have 60% of Canadian businesses use AI tools, up from 12% in 2025.

The plan earmarks billions of dollars to increase adoption, commercialization and sovereign computing capacity, including a C$500 ...