Global Alarm: Canada's PM Flags US AI Rules as Dependence Threat

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed significant concerns regarding U.S. restrictions on advanced artificial intelligence models, particularly highlighting the dangers of overreliance on a limited number of American technology providers. Speaking from Ireland ahead of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Carney addressed the directive from the Trump administration that led AI giant Anthropic to take its latest models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, offline for foreign nationals. This action represents the U.S. government’s most substantial measure to date in restricting access to highly sophisticated AI technologies.

Anthropic, a San Francisco-based company, had recently made a limited version of its Fable model widely available. However, access to the more advanced Mythos 5 has been strictly limited due to serious cybersecurity fears. Anthropic itself described the Mythos model, announced on April 7, as “strikingly capable,” noting its ability to surpass human cybersecurity experts in identifying and exploiting computer vulnerabilities. Carney underscored the critical lesson from this development, stating, “The situation we’re in collectively right now with Mythos and Fable is something that can happen with overreliance on certain models.” He further emphasized the importance of learning from this event and actively pursuing diversification, remarking, “It is never a good idea to have one option.”

Artificial intelligence is expected to be a major discussion point at the upcoming G7 summit. Carney revealed he had a 45-minute discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on the topic, acknowledging the complex nature of these issues and the unlikelihood of simple solutions or a quick “mission accomplished” banner from the summit.

Carney directly linked the U.S. AI restrictions to Canada’s broader strategic initiative to diversify its trade and technology partnerships. With over 70% of Canada’s exports currently directed to the United States, Carney has set an ambitious goal for Canada to double its non-U.S. exports within the next decade. He also pointed out that current trade policies under the Trump administration are contributing to a cooling effect on investment. Although the free trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico (USMCA) is up for renewal, Carney does not have a bilateral meeting scheduled with Trump at the G7. Instead, USMCA discussions will proceed between the principal negotiators: Canada’s Dominic LeBlanc (minister responsible for U.S. trade) and Janice Charette (Canada’s chief negotiator), and U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with these talks anticipated to occur during the summit in Evian.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Carney also undertook a personal journey, visiting his family’s ancestral village of Aghagower in County Mayo, Ireland. His paternal grandparents, Robert Carney and Nora Moran, both originated from the town before immigrating to Canada in the 1920s. Local residents, including Owen Morgan, expressed pride in Carney’s efforts, noting, “He’s very much standing up for Canadians, and I think that’s very much admired.”