In Toronto, a neurosurgeon leverages artificial intelligence to identify cancer cells instantly, sparing patients from additional surgeries. Meanwhile, in another Canadian hospital, AI-driven scribes enable emergency doctors to treat 30-40% more patients by automatically documenting consultations.
These advancements, as highlighted by Evan Solomon, Canada’s inaugural Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, demonstrate AI’s significant impact. “It’s not about replacing humans,” he explained to Khaleej Times. “It’s about enhancing outcomes without burdening workers.”
During an official visit to Abu Dhabi, after speaking at a Gitex 2025 panel and signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the UAE Investment Minister, Solomon emphasized Canada’s responsible approach to public service innovation. “These Canadian stories reflect what we observe in the UAE,” he noted. “AI is quietly revolutionizing lives through practical applications, not science fiction.”
Parallel Paths in AI Leadership
Solomon noted both nations were pioneers in prioritizing AI nationally. “The UAE appointed the first AI minister,” he explained. “Canada launched its national AI strategy in 2017, and now I’m the first AI minister, highlighting our common ground.”
Canada’s model focuses on trust and accountability, which Solomon said aligns with the UAE’s emphasis on ethics and governance. “We aim to make technology serve people, not vice versa.”
The Pace of Innovation and Trust
Describing this era as a “hinge moment” in technology, Solomon cautioned that governments must act swiftly yet cautiously. “Technology advances at the pace of innovation, but adoption depends on the pace of trust.”
Canada has formed a 30-day AI Strategic Task Force to update its national AI strategy ahead of schedule. The team consults with researchers, educators, and industry leaders to balance growth with safety. “We must build fast, but correctly,” the minister noted. “Without trust, adoption falters.”
UAE: A Global AI Hub
Solomon’s remarks coincided with the UAE’s rise as a key AI infrastructure and investment hub. “The UAE is attracting global talent for AI due to its scale, capital, and ambition, making our countries’ collaboration vital.”
He added that both nations value technological self-reliance. “Canada must own digital age tools and rules,” he said. “The UAE shares this instinct—to build rather than rent its future.”
Recent regional developments support his view. Reuters reported that the UAE’s Stargate AI campus, a 200-megawatt AI facility, will launch next year, while Nvidia and Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute have established a joint AI and robotics lab in the capital.
Digital Sovereignty and Economic Independence
Solomon highlighted Canada’s pursuit of digital sovereignty—nations controlling their data, infrastructure, and intellectual property.
“Digital sovereignty is essential—the most urgent democratic issue today,” he said. “Canada must own its data, infrastructure, and destiny.”
He warned that reliance on external data systems risks dependency. “We can’t be a branch for other economies,” he stated. “We need independent infrastructure, talent, and legal frameworks.” This resonates in the UAE, where national AI programs emphasize local data storage, Emirati-led R&D, and domestic computing capacity—complementary goals for both countries.
Several Canadian tech firms operate in the UAE. “Canada is one of four countries with major language models,” he noted. “Cohere’s regional presence accelerates collaboration.” He also mentioned OpenText and Core42 as examples of partnerships beyond investment. “These are about innovation and solving shared challenges.”
A New MoU Signals Next Phase of Cooperation
After meeting UAE Minister of Investment Mohammed Hassan Al Suwaidi in Abu Dhabi, Solomon announced a memorandum of understanding on AI and digital infrastructure cooperation. “This builds a framework for a dynamic digital infrastructure and AI partnership that will rapidly progress.”
The agreement aims to boost cross-border investment in data centers, research collaboration, and commercialization of AI tools by startups in both countries. “We’re in a pivotal moment,” Solomon concluded. “The challenge is making technology work for people—partnerships like Canada-UAE show how to achieve this.”
