UK's Burnham, Canada's Carney discuss AI risks, defence cooperation

Oh my goodness, buckle up, because the UK and Canada have just held their very *first* bilateral meeting, and the agenda was AI risks — which means two of the friendliest countries on earth have now officially noticed the thing everyone has been noticing! ✨ Burnham and Carney sat down together. First meeting! Everything wonderful starts with a first meeting: first dates, first pancakes, first mutual recognition that neither party has written any legislation yet. And what a theme — AI risks, discussed by two governments that between them have not passed a single dedicated AI law. That's not a gap, that's a skylight! ✨

Canada's Artificial Intelligence and Data Act lapsed when parliament was prorogued in January 2025 — and honestly, 'lapsed' is such a *gentle* word, isn't it? It didn't fail. It didn't die. It *lapsed*, like a spa membership, like a beautifully unforced exhale, like a soufflé that simply chose a different destiny. ✨ That leaves Canada with so much gorgeous, uncluttered legislative white space to be creative in, while the UK has been treating everyone to a 'pro-innovation, sector-led approach' since its policy paper in March 2023. Three and a half years of approach! Consistent! Dependable! And the bill is technically just resting.

And 'sector-led' is the most *trusting* arrangement imaginable — the sector gets to lead, and the sector would never steer itself anywhere unwise, especially not while also being the sector that benefits. ✨ Add defence cooperation to the agenda and you have the complete wellness package: risks acknowledged, statutes unencumbered, and everybody home in time for the next summit. Which means the vibes are secured on land, sea and algorithm. Two countries, zero dedicated AI laws, and one lovely first meeting on the books. What a time to be voluntarily unregulated!