Artificial intelligence

This summer, while I was on vacation and far from the constant pings of email and Teams, I read a news story that floored me: the White House had just unveiled its "America’s AI Action Plan."

To put it bluntly, it’s a bombshell. The tone has been set, and the message is clear: the United States intends to be the global champion of AI, whatever the cost.

As a reminder, last January, an executive order paved the way by promising to "remove barriers to innovation." This past July, that order became a reality with the publication of an official plan built on three pillars:

  1. Accelerating Innovation
  2. Building American Infrastructure
  3. Imposing American Leadership Internationally

At first glance, one might think this is good news that will energize the North American market. Yes... but upon digging deeper, I see enormous risks for us Canadians. Here’s why.

Pillar 1: Accelerating Innovation—AI Without the Handbrake

The first pillar is straightforward: massive deregulation. The U.S. administration wants to overhaul every rule that slows down AI adoption. They are pushing open source, encouraging research, and even setting criteria to ensure that state-used AI remains "objective" and free from ideological bias.

Furthermore, they are planning a massive training blitz: professional retraining, integrating AI into education, and accelerated learning for trades like maintenance and energy.

On paper, it’s exciting because it means faster innovation. But that’s precisely where the threat to Canada lies. While we are busy drafting the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) to regulate AI responsibly, our neighbors are opening the floodgates. Who will attract the investors? Certainly not Canada, if our rules remain too rigid. And yet, these rules are vital for transparency and ethics.

In short, we either align our policy with theirs (and sacrifice our principles), or we stay the course and risk watching our talent and startups cross the border. Not an easy choice, is it?

Pillar 2: Building Infrastructure—The American Steamroller

The second pillar is about doubling down on infrastructure. The plan aims to streamline permits for data centers, boost energy capacity, and build semiconductor factories at breakneck speed. The U.S. government also intends to create USAi, a federal platform designed to centralize AI resources and accelerate adoption across all public agencies.

Naturally, there is a heavy focus on cybersecurity, featuring a center dedicated solely to monitoring AI-related threats.

So, where is the danger for us? It’s simple. If the U.S. gains a monstrous lead in supercomputers, sovereign cloud computing, and AI chips, what do we become? Tenants. We will depend on them to run our models, store our data, and innovate. That represents a massive loss of sovereignty.

I won't even get started on the brain drain. Imagine a Canadian researcher in Montreal struggling to find server space to train their model, while their colleague in the U.S. has access to giant, state-funded infrastructure. Do you think they’ll stay in Canada? Unfortunately, I don't.

Pillar 3: International Leadership—American Rules of the Game

The third pillar—and perhaps the most significant—aims for global dominance. The U.S. wants to export its entire AI ecosystem, from hardware and software to the standards governing their use. They want to dictate the rules of the game regarding security, transparency, and governance. Essentially, they want to set the rules and have the rest of the world follow suit.

Yes, Canada is technically an ally. But what does that actually mean? It means we’ll have access to certain technologies, provided we play by their rules. If Washington imposes an ultra-liberal framework, Ottawa will be cornered: follow the pack and ignore its own principles, or stick to its ethical vision and risk isolation.

Canada has been a pioneer in responsible AI. We have a voluntary code of conduct, a Pan-Canadian strategy, and bills like AIDA. But against American might, will we still be able to carry weight in the debate? Honestly, I have my doubts.

Why We Must Accelerate AI Adoption in Canada

In the face of this American plan, the real risk isn't just technological or regulatory. It’s that our businesses are falling behind—and that gap is widening fast.

Today, many Canadian SMEs still see AI as a futuristic option or a gimmick. But in the U.S., with a government pushing the technology to its limit, AI will become the standard in logistics, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing. If our companies wait too long, they will find themselves in the same position as brick-and-mortar stores facing Amazon: obsolete before they even start the race.

Adopting AI isn't just about efficiency; it’s about competitiveness and survival. An SME that automates tasks, optimizes its supply chain, and personalizes services through AI will dominate the one that sticks to Excel.

The problem is that AI requires skills, computing power, and investment. Many Canadian companies currently lack the resources or expertise to go it alone. This is where the government must step in. We need subsidy programs, access to shared platforms, and massive training for employees.

If we do nothing, Canadian companies won't just be less innovative; they will be dependent on American solutions. In that scenario, we lose twice: economically and strategically.

So, What Do We Do?

I’m not usually an alarmist... but this time, we must react. The American plan is clear: maximum power, deregulation, and global dominance. If we want to exist in this new landscape, we must:

• Invest massively in our infrastructure.
• Help Canadian businesses adopt AI now, not in five years.
• Protect our talent with serious incentives to keep them in the country.
• Hold our ethical line and continue promoting responsible AI, even when it’s tempting to abandon everything to keep up with the American pace.

In summary, Canada must decide if it wants to be a strong partner or a dependent follower. I prefer the first option. But for that to happen, we need to move fast.