The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario met with Karsten Wildberger, German Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernization, on the margins of the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting in Montréal, Quebec, on December 8, 2025.
The ministers reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship between Canada and Germany, defined by a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights. They noted the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between Canada and Germany- including through collaboration in multilateral fora, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence, as well as at the G7-and stated their intention to deepen collaboration in digital innovation and artificial intelligence (AI).
The ministers agreed to advance a Canada-Germany Digital Alliance, a joint partnership focused on concrete collaboration in areas of mutual interest. They identified areas of interest to pursue under the Alliance, including AI, digital sovereignty, digital infrastructure, quantum and cooperation with respect to startups and the digital economy.
The ministers agreed that, amongst the first deliverables under the Alliance, both sides would finalize a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI) on AI in the coming months. They highlighted the following potential areas of cooperation under the JDoI:
- Building and deploying compute infrastructure
- Exchange on policy development and inter-operability
- Research & commercialization
- AI adoption, with a focus on physical AI and industrial AI
- AI safety
- Development and adoption of generative AI as well as algorithmic innovation (Frontier AI)
- Talent attraction and mobility
- Business engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship
The ministers also discussed opportunities to strengthen commercial ties and highlight investment and business opportunities that AI can bring to firms, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, in both countries.
Furthermore, both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a dynamic business environment that supports innovation and startups across the digital economy. Both sides discussed ways to connect businesses and entrepreneurs, facilitate business delegations and encourage collaboration between tech companies in both countries.
Both sides agreed to assign key contacts within their respective ministries to develop a workplan under the Alliance. The ministers agreed to stay in regular contact and maintain forward momentum as collaborative initiatives are advanced under the Alliance.
