Following the
G7 summit dedicated to industry and digital technology, the European Union and Canada have formalized a
strategic partnership focused on AI ,
digital identity , and
technological sovereignty . This move illustrates the two partners’ desire to have a greater influence in an international landscape dominated by the United States and China.
While the two blocs have been collaborating for several years, this new round of agreements marks a decisive step. The goal of this new agreement is to jointly develop innovative technologies while preserving fundamental rights, digital autonomy, and a healthy media ecosystem.
An alliance structured around reliable AI and the common good
The first protocol signed in Montreal focuses on artificial intelligence and places the reliability of systems at the heart of its priorities . Brussels and Ottawa aim to develop models that respect fundamental rights, relying on research and shared infrastructure.
This cooperation promises to be very broad and could encompass health, energy, culture, science, and even public services: all sectors that will benefit from the exchange of expertise and joint projects to accelerate the adoption of AI. SMEs, often bewildered by the complexity of these technologies, including in France , will benefit from dedicated support.
However, the ambition extends beyond purely economic applications, and Europe and Canada also want to develop advanced AI for the public good . Models capable of improving the monitoring of extreme weather events or informing strategies to combat climate change are expected to be on the table .
As Henna Virkkunen , Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, points out, ” no region can face the digital transformation alone .” This statement reflects the desire to establish a technological counterweight to the major digital powers.
Digital identity, media and sovereignty: a common front
The second agreement concerns digital identity credentials and trust services. The two partners aim to promote the interoperability of their future identity wallets, jointly test technologies, and launch pilot projects to offer concrete applications to citizens while maintaining control over the underlying infrastructure.
The media are also involved, and Europe and Canada are expressing their concerns about platforms that control access to information and the rapid transformations brought about by generative AI . This sovereignty project also relies on infrastructure, including securing 5G , exploring new routes for submarine cables , particularly in the Arctic, and ensuring the resilience of the semiconductor supply chain .
In other words, Europe and Canada want to consolidate the physical pillars of their digital autonomy , including through data centers, as part of a sharing of expertise on reducing their environmental impact.
By sealing these agreements, the European Union and Canada reaffirm their commitment to building a stronger technological bloc , but will that be enough to compete with the Chinese and American tech giants?