Build data centres here or 'rent' from neighbours, AI minister says

Digital sovereignty was the focus at Montreal’s All In conference as Canada’s AI minister, Evan Solomon, urged building data centres domestically or buying them from more reliable partners rather than relying on less trusted states. Solomon warned that if Canada doesn’t build and innovate at home, it will have to “buy” technology or “rent” it elsewhere, and will end up following other countries’ rules. Germany’s digital minister, Karsten Wildberger, said shared standards and oversight are crucial for safe, advanced AI. Their comments came amid heightened fears after an Anthropic employee quit earlier this month, warning AI could spiral out of control. The meeting also featured a Mila-German AI partnership.