When Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, the Honourable Evan Solomon, sat down with Karsten Wildberger, Germany’s Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation, the meeting represented far more than a bilateral check-in. Against the backdrop of the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers’ Meeting in Montréal, the two countries signalled a shared intention to shape—not simply adapt to—the next era of global innovation.
Their message was clear: in an increasingly competitive digital landscape, Canada and Germany intend to lead.
“As G7 partners, Canada and Germany stand together in innovation and prosperity. Through the Canada–Germany Digital Alliance, we are deepening our collaboration on artificial intelligence, research exchanges and digital infrastructure. The partnerships announced today reflect our shared commitment to building a modern, tech-enabled economy that will enhance productivity across our countries,” stated the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
A New Alliance for a New Digital Era
At the centre of the announcement is the creation of the Canada–Germany Digital Alliance, a framework designed to accelerate collaboration in fields that are rapidly defining modern economic strength. Artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, digital infrastructure, quantum technologies and broader digital-economy innovation all sit squarely within the Alliance’s mandate.
Both ministers underscored the importance of nurturing commercial champions—firms capable of competing on the world stage while powering productivity and prosperity at home. The first step under the Alliance is already planned: a joint declaration of intent on AI. Set to be finalized in the coming months, this declaration will explicitly focus on boosting commercialization and adoption of AI across both economies.
“Germany and Canada have a lot in common and have a fruitful relationship, nourished by our shared values. I believe there is a big potential for strong and deep collaboration between our two countries around topics such as artificial intelligence and digital sovereignty. With the Canada–Germany Digital Alliance, we are going to work together to foster a dynamic business environment that supports innovation and technology startups across the digital economy in both countries,” conveyed Karsten Wildberger, Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation.
Pushing Quantum Technologies Toward Market Readiness
The announcement also builds on the Kananaskis Common Vision for the Future of Quantum Technologies and commitments made at the G7 Leaders’ Meeting in June 2025. In January 2026, Canada and Germany will launch a joint call for proposals aimed at advancing quantum commercialization.
Led by the National Research Council of Canada and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, the initiative will fund collaborative R&D in quantum computing and quantum sensing—two capabilities poised to transform sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to national security.
The move signals a strategic pivot: both countries recognize that quantum technologies are leaving the lab and moving rapidly toward real-world deployment. By aligning their research and commercialization efforts now, Canada and Germany aim to accelerate that momentum.
Aligning on Frontier AI and the Next Wave of Algorithmic Innovation
The Digital Alliance goes beyond quantum. It includes new avenues for collaboration on large language models, generative AI, and frontier algorithmic research—areas where global competition is intensifying.
For both countries, staying aligned on these transformational technologies is not simply an R&D exercise. It is about ensuring their businesses, researchers and innovators can keep pace with the world’s most advanced economies while helping shape global standards for responsible innovation.
A Shared Commitment to Innovation-Driven Growth
As global economic conditions continue to shift, Canada and Germany emphasized a joint resolve: creating a dynamic business environment that supports innovation, technology adoption and the growth of startups.
From AI policy alignment to quantum research acceleration, the partnership reflects a shared belief that economic resilience and national competitiveness increasingly depend on the strength of digital ecosystems. With the Canada–Germany Digital Alliance now underway, both countries are positioning themselves—and their innovators—to thrive in a fast-moving technological era.
