Canada Urged to Turn AI Strengths into Real Economic Gains. Image via LinkedIn
Canada stands at a defining moment in its artificial intelligence journey, says OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane. During his visit to Toronto this week, Lehane cautioned that Canada must ensure its AI innovations translate into real economic benefits at home — not just opportunities for others abroad.
Lehane, who grew up in Maine, compared Canada’s AI potential to the lumber industry of his childhood. “Back home, we cut down trees, shipped them overseas, and bought back the finished furniture at higher prices,” he said. “Canada risks a similar fate with AI unless it turns its advantages into domestic growth.”
Chris Lehane, chief global affairs officer at OpenAI, is photographed in Toronto, on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.
Harnessing AI for Canadian Prosperity
Speaking on the sidelines of the Toronto tech conference Elevate, Lehane emphasized that Canada has a window of opportunity to secure its place in the global AI economy.
“The real challenge for Canada — and the opportunity — is whether it can harness its strengths and turn them into economic development here,” he said. “AI should not just mean building data centres that serve the rest of the world.”
His visit came just a day after meeting with Canada’s newly appointed AI Minister, Evan Solomon, who has pledged to deliver the country’s first national AI strategy by the end of the year.
Shaping Canada’s AI Future
The upcoming strategy will determine how Canada balances its AI sovereignty while staying open to global collaboration. Solomon has assembled a task force to help define that path — whether Canada will pursue a strict independence model or a flexible framework that allows cooperation with major tech players like OpenAI.
A spokesperson from Solomon’s office described the minister’s meeting with Lehane as “productive,” focused on unlocking the potential of Canada’s AI economy. Lehane said the discussion showed that the federal government is “engaging with other global entities to identify who can be a true partner for Canada.”
OpenAI’s Global Collaboration Push
Lehane made it clear that OpenAI aims to be one of those partners. “Our message was simple — we want to be a value add here,” he said.
One of OpenAI’s latest initiatives, OpenAI for Countries, launched in May, is designed to help nations enhance their data infrastructure and adapt ChatGPT to local languages and cultures. Lehane envisions such collaborations driving local innovation, job creation, and long-term economic activity.
“No country can build the entire AI ecosystem alone,” added Dev Saxena, OpenAI’s senior global affairs adviser. “It’s too resource-intensive. Collaboration is essential.”
Canada’s Advantage: Talent and Energy
Lehane outlined five key pillars that power AI — talent, capital, energy, data, and chips. While no single nation leads in all five, he noted that Canada holds a strong edge in talent and clean energy.
“The U.S. has capital and chip design,” Lehane said, “but Canada is way ahead when it comes to skilled people and sustainable energy.”
He believes if Canada can leverage these advantages through a clear and inclusive AI strategy, it can avoid becoming merely a resource provider for others — and instead emerge as a true AI powerhouse.
“I really think Canada is at a moment where it can take a great leap forward,” Lehane concluded.
