Minister Solomon concludes successful visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland to advance Canada's global AI leadership

New Canada–United Kingdom AI security partnership will strengthen cooperation on emerging risks, while engagements in Ireland deepen ties with European partners on innovation and economic security

DUBLIN, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how countries innovate and address emerging challenges. As Canada strengthens its AI capabilities at home, international collaboration remains essential to advancing the safe and responsible development of AI and ensuring Canadians can benefit from the opportunities this technology creates.

Today, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, concluded a visit to the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, where he met with international counterparts and AI leaders to strengthen partnerships, advance shared priorities on AI safety and responsible innovation, and explore opportunities for greater collaboration.

During his visit to London, the Minister met with the Right Honourable Kanishka Narayan, the UK's Minister for Artificial Intelligence, to discuss shared priorities and opportunities to deepen Canada–UK cooperation on AI. He also engaged with the UK's AI Security Institute on advancing AI safety research, strengthening evaluations and supporting the responsible development of increasingly capable AI systems. At Chatham House, he highlighted Canada's approach to AI and underscored the importance of international cooperation in shaping the future of this rapidly evolving technology.

In a joint statement, Canada and the UK renewed their partnership on AI safety and security to strengthen their ability to identify and respond to emerging risks from advanced AI systems. The agreement will deepen cooperation between the two countries' AI institutes through enhanced information sharing, expanded technical collaboration and joint work to advance international AI security standards.

In Dublin, Minister Solomon participated in the International AI Summit, joining international leaders and experts to discuss accelerating AI adoption across key sectors, strengthening digital infrastructure, and exploring emerging opportunities in AI. His participation reinforced Canada's position as a trusted, like-minded partner to Europe and highlighted the importance of deepening international cooperation on AI, digital technologies and innovation. With complementary strengths in AI, advanced computing, research and technology, Canada and its European partners are well positioned to advance shared priorities on digital innovation and economic security.

The visit also underscored Canada's commitment to expanding cooperation with the European Union, including under Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in advance of the Canada–European Union Summit on October 29 and 30 in Montréal, Quebec. During the visit, the Minister met with Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy; Torgeir Micaelsen, Norway's Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance; Peter Burke, Ireland's Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; and Niamh Smyth, Ireland's Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation.

The trip marked an important step in advancing Canada's international AI priorities under the AI for All strategy, including strengthening trusted partnerships and global alliances. These efforts will help foster the safe and responsible development of AI, expand opportunities for Canadian companies in global markets and support greater economic security, resilience and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.

Quotes

"During my visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland, I met with government leaders, researchers, innovators and business leaders who share our commitment to ensuring AI is developed and deployed responsibly. Together, we advanced partnerships that will strengthen AI safety, support innovation, grow our economies and help our workers and businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world. Canada is stepping forward as a trusted partner in building an AI future that is innovative and secure."
– The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

"The UK and Canada are the closest allies. Our renewed AI security partnership builds on our strong and deep national security relationship, as we work together to ensure safe and responsible adoption of AI around the world. Building an AI future where people and their interests come first is everyone's business and will require strong international cooperation. That's precisely why AI will be a key focus of the UK's G20 presidency next year."
– The Right Honourable Kanishka Narayan, the UK's Minister for Artificial Intelligence

Quick facts

• On October 13, 2026, Canada and the UK issued a joint statement, establishing a renewed AI security partnership to strengthen cooperation on emerging risks from advanced AI systems, information sharing and international standards.
• On June 4, 2026, the Government of Canada launched Canada's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All.
• In 2024, Canada and the UK launched an AI safety partnership between their AI safety institutes to advance joint research, share expertise and computing resources, and support the development of international AI safety standards and risk research. Both governments committed to supporting the International Network for Advanced AI Measurement, Evaluation and Science, contributing to evidence-based research on AI risks and collaborating on the development of AI safety standards and best practices.

Related products

• Joint statement: Canada and the United Kingdom Renew Their Partnership on Artificial Intelligence Security

Associated links

• Artificial intelligence ecosystem
• Canada's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All
• Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute

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Contacts: Leela Polushin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]