AI Sweden strengthens Canadian ties during high-level business visit

The visit, held in Ottawa and Montréal, aimed to deepen bilateral relations, promote innovation, and expand business opportunities, particularly in defense & security, electrification, and AI. This engagement is a key step in AI Sweden's long-term focus on Canadian collaboration, building on concrete results already underway. They include AI Sweden's fruitful partnership with Mila since 2022, which previously led to establishing a physical presence in Montreal to bridge Sweden closer to this global AI hub. They also include a strategic project with Unity Health Toronto and Swedish university hospitals, aimed at increasing AI maturity in Swedish healthcare, and a dedicated AI Sweden delegation visit to Toronto just weeks prior.

The high-level business delegation, comprising over 30 Swedish organizations, companies, and government agencies, focused on deepening bilateral relations and exploring cooperation in key areas, including AI, defense and security, and electrification.

The visit, led by Minister for Energy and Business Ebba Busch and Minister for Defence Pål Jonson, featured the launch of a new strategic partnership between Sweden and Canada - a political framework aimed at strengthening long-term collaboration.

Martin Svensson, Managing Director at AI Sweden and Mikael Ljungblom, Director of International Relations and Public Policy and Interim Managing Director for New Nordics AI, represented AI Sweden in the delegation.

Key activities during the visit included Sweden - Canada Innovation Days 2025 in Ottawa, focusing on collaboration, financing, and the green and digital transition. The delegation also visited Mila (Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute), one of the world's leading AI research institutes, where they discussed responsible AI development and opportunities for increased bilateral research collaboration. This ongoing collaboration is essential for securing Sweden's global AI competence and accelerating the capture of untapped value through shared research and best practices.