UK’s Burnham, Canada’s Carney discuss AI risks, defence cooperation | Military News
UK, Canada Discuss AI and Defense Cooperation in Bilateral Meeting
LIVERPOOL, UK — British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney convened for their inaugural bilateral meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in defense and artificial intelligence. The meeting took place on Wednesday, culminating in an evening at Everton’s stadium where the leaders watched a football match.
In a statement from the British Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders emphasized the necessity for collaboration between governments and the technology sector to ensure online safety and mitigate the risks associated with artificial intelligence.
The discussions followed recent remarks from Burnham’s spokesperson, who acknowledged the increasing discourse among AI companies regarding the technology’s potential hazards. The spokesperson noted, “It’s a good thing that the companies developing the most advanced AI systems are now talking openly about the risks as well as the opportunities,” and highlighted the need for policy decisions to be based on evidence rather than speculation. They also cautioned that current regulatory frameworks might not suffice as AI capabilities continue to evolve.
Neither the United Kingdom nor Canada has enacted dedicated legislation governing AI. The UK has maintained a “pro-innovation” stance since releasing a policy paper in March 2023, favoring a sector-led approach where sectoral regulators oversee AI development instead of pursuing separate legislation. Canada, on the other hand, saw its Artificial Intelligence and Data Act lapse when parliament was prorogued in January 2025, resulting in the cancellation of pending legislation. Currently, Ottawa relies on privacy laws and an industry code that is voluntary.
On the topic of defense, the leaders discussed aligning the British and Canadian frameworks for a joint military financing bank. This dialogue takes place as Canada seeks to integrate further with military alliances, specifically applying to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force and taking part as an observer in the Global Combat Air Programme.
In related developments, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed that Canada be granted “associate member” status with the European Union. This proposal comes as Ottawa aims to strengthen ties with Europe amidst ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
