Ottawa Partners with Cohere to Revolutionize Public Services with AI
UPDATE: The Canadian government has just announced a groundbreaking partnership with AI startup Cohere to enhance public service operations using artificial intelligence. This urgent collaboration aims to identify how Cohere’s advanced technologies can streamline federal services, making them faster, smarter, and more secure.
Officials revealed the agreement on June 15, 2025, during a meeting in Ottawa between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This initiative marks a significant step forward in the Canadian government’s commitment to leverage AI technology, a key promise made during Carney’s election campaign.
The deal establishes an “early-stage collaboration” between the federal government and the Toronto-based tech company, as confirmed by Sofia Ouslis, spokesperson for Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon. She emphasized that there are no formal deadlines for the project, but the government views it as a top priority, moving swiftly to explore practical applications of AI in public service.
Cohere, known for its large language models, specializes in generative AI aimed at business solutions. In a blog post, the company stated its commitment to “transform the public sector with our secure, sovereign AI technology.” The aim is clear: accelerating AI adoption to achieve significant productivity and efficiency gains in public services.
The government’s press release highlighted that AI has the potential to drastically improve operations and service delivery to Canadians. “We are seeking to harness the power of this transformative technology while building a vibrant made-in-Canada technology sector,” Ouslis stated.
While the agreement does not include a “financial component,” it encompasses efforts to bolster Canada’s commercial capabilities in AI and explore export opportunities, although specific details on this aspect remain undisclosed.
Prime Minister Carney’s administration has also been focused on capping the size of the public service, directing federal departments to find program spending cuts of up to 15 percent. The integration of AI is seen as a vital strategy to maintain efficiency amid these budget constraints.
As Canada embarks on this ambitious journey with Cohere, the implications for public service efficiency and modernization could be immense. Citizens are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on how these developments will unfold in the days and months ahead, as the government aims to make significant strides in enhancing the effectiveness of public services through cutting-edge AI technology.
This collaboration not only signifies a shift in government operations but also reflects a broader trend of embracing technology to meet the evolving needs of Canadians. The urgency of this initiative underscores the importance of innovation in public service delivery, making it a topic of immediate relevance and interest.
