Canadian AI and business leaders meet with Minister Evan Solomon at Web Summit Vancouver

DIGITAL hosted an AI roundtable at Web Summit Vancouver with Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, and other federal representatives. The session placed emphasis on how Canadian AI moves from planning to adoption, commercialization, and economic value.

In remarks, organizers tied the discussion to a shift in what determines AI leadership in practice, pointing to the ability of companies and public institutions to adopt, buy, and scale trusted Canadian-made solutions. DIGITAL also convened government, business, and ecosystem leaders through additional events during the same week.

The roundtable agenda covered reported barriers to real-world deployment. It addressed issues including procurement and commercialization pathways, as well as talent and infrastructure. DIGITAL and AI Network of BC (AInBC) worked with federal participants in the discussion.

Separate from the AI roundtable, DIGITAL hosted a leadership roundtable with Export Development Canada and business leaders on aligning shared resources and clarifying pathways for founders. DIGTIAL also hosted a curated networking event with BMO, the B.C. Securities Commission and Vancouver Tech Journal covering executives, founders and funders. DIGITAL reported that since 2018 it invested over $240 million and leveraged an additional $370 million from private industry, and that the results include 200+ market-ready AI solutions active in global markets and 126 sovereign IP assets secured.

“At Web Summit Vancouver, DIGITAL, one of Canada’s global innovation clusters, once again demonstrated its role as a pillar of our national tech ecosystem,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. “DIGITAL’s AI roundtable convened leading founders and innovators for an impactful discussion on how Canadian companies can continue to deploy AI and advanced technologies across key sectors. The Government of Canada remains focused on driving technological progress and building meaningful connections that advance Canada’s position in the world’s ever-evolving tech landscape.”