The first MOU was said to build on existing science, technology and innovation, identifying key technology areas including quantum, artificial intelligence (AI), engineering biology, semiconductors and clean energy. Both countries are to “intensify efforts to foster research and bring innovative new solutions to market to help tackle global challenges.”
It will also focus on scientific diplomacy allowing both countries to exchange expertise on issues including international standards, governance and regulation of new technologies and helping to inform discussions in international forums which include the G7 and G20.
The second MOU laid out a new agreement on AI compute, said to be a fundamental building block in AI’s use and development. It includes the commitment on part of both countries to explore how they can work together with other like-minded countries to “support researchers and industry with secure and affordable access to computing capacity needed for AI systems in both Canada and the UK.” Such would include examining opportunities for collaborations in areas of shared strategic importance like biomedicine.
“Today’s memorandums of understanding on scientific research and innovation and on AI compute will lead to positive impacts across all fields of research and innovation, help businesses accelerate commercialization and link our leading researchers together,” said Champagne in a Jan. 31 statement.
“These agreements will strengthen our AI companies and enable our researchers, as well as encourage sharing research excellence with the Global South to build international capacity and address worldwide challenges.”
In 2017, the first Canada–UK science, technology and innovation MOU was signed, which generated close to $150 million in joint research projects. This included the first industry-led partnership between any two countries to develop quantum technologies, along with a $13.7 million project on Arctic ecosystems, to fund research projects on climate-driven changes in Inuit Nunangat in partnership with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
The updated MOU aims to capture the full scope of research. This would be accomplished by including an annex that can be periodically updated when necessary, with emerging priority areas during the MOU’s 10-year duration.
The U.K. was noted as being Canada’s third-largest scientific and technological global partner and its most important research partner in Europe. The countries have collaborated in areas including clinical and biomedical research, earth sciences and physics.
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