Seneca Polytechnic president David Agnew, left, gives Microsoft Canada president Matt Milton a tour of the state-of-the-art learning facilities at Seneca’s Newnham Campus.SUPPLIED
Artificial intelligence is creating a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity that organizations and nations can’t afford to miss, says Microsoft Canada president Matt Milton.
Though the technology is still in its relative infancy, he says, it’s already reshaping industries and how work gets done in Canada. From colleges and universities adopting AI to enhance learning, to businesses automating routine tasks to enhancing decision-making with data-driven insights, AI is improving the everyday lives of citizens and employees. Generative AI could add a whopping $187-billion to the country’s economy by 2030, according to a study by Microsoft Canada.
“This is no longer experimental,” Mr. Milton says. “These are meaningful changes that either directly impact the lives of citizens, the speed at which things get done, or dramatically cut out spending that we take for granted.”
Canada has done reasonably well in adopting and using the technology, ranking 14th globally in Microsoft’s recent AI Diffusion report. But it’s far from being a leader, says Mr. Milton, and that poses a challenge because playing catch-up is hard with this technology.
“This is an exponential moment. The organizations and countries that act early and adopt these capabilities at scale won’t just move faster, they’ll shape the future and gain the competitive advantage,” he says. “And the advantage they build will widen over time, making it exceptionally difficult to catch up over time.”
Microsoft Canada president Matt Milton speaking at Toronto AI Tour.SUPPLIED
From building infrastructure to seizing opportunity
Mr. Milton explains that up until recently, much of the focus in AI has been on building infrastructure and frontier large language models like ChatGPT. But as with previous generational technologies – such as electricity, computers, the internet or smartphones – the real value comes from how organizations adopt those foundational capabilities and build on top of that foundation.
Now that AI is broadly available, he suggests there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invent things that couldn’t exist without it – the equivalent of the TVs and manufacturing equipment that required electricity to become widely available. “We believe we’re at that point now where adoption is going to dictate the value and the opportunity that’s derived from it,” Mr. Milton says. “Canada’s advantage won’t be defined by invention alone, but by how effectively we diffuse these capabilities across the economy.”
He notes that in generations past, the transition from infrastructure development to innovation took decades, but this time around the world isn’t waiting. AI is the fastest-spreading technology in human history, reaching more than 1.2 billion people in less than three years. Those who take a wait-and-see approach could miss out on a huge economic opportunity.
Mr. Milton explains that Canada’s challenge is no longer about capability, but confidence. The country has world-class research, deep talent and access to capital, yet translating that foundation into impact will require decisive leadership and fast adoption.
“Canadians have understandably taken a thoughtful approach to adopting these capabilities.” Mr. Milton says. “A strong focus on risk and safeguards is essential, and so is keeping sight of the opportunity ahead. When we move forward with intention, the upside is enormous, including stronger productivity, more resilient communities and a competitive position that endures over time.”
He points to other governments that have been quick to encourage adoption. The United Arab Emirates, which is ranked number one on the AI Diffusion list, launched a national AI strategy back in 2017, then introduced sandbox environments to encourage experimentation and special visa programs to attract AI talent. Meanwhile, 91 per cent of organizations in Ireland (number four on the list) are already using AI. Recent research from Trinity College Dublin, in partnership with Microsoft Ireland, predicts AI could add $250-billion to Ireland’s economy by 2035.
Canadian success stories to celebrate
Mr. Milton highlights bright spots in Canada’s AI adoption story, notably in the health care space. He points to Northern Health in northern British Columbia, where severe staffing shortages have challenged the delivery of timely care. To address this, Northern Health is leveraging Microsoft 365 Copilot to automate administrative workloads, freeing up staff dramatically so they can focus on higher-value tasks and urgent needs.
“This is access to health care that people couldn’t get before,” he says. “If governments focus on diffusing these use cases across all the provinces, it can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians and build a uniquely Canadian advantage.”
Another Canadian success story is engineering and professional services firm WSP, which is empowering tens of thousands of engineers and scientists with Microsoft 365 Copilot, enabling them to spend more time on innovation and impact. WSP is streamlining routine processes and freeing up valuable time for collaboration, training and upskilling, says Mr. Milton. He notes that kind of efficiency helps get “shovels in the ground” for the energy, transportation and water systems Canada needs.
Microsoft 365 Copilot, an AI-powered digital assistant that helps users with tasks, creativity and information, is transforming the way Canadians work, Mr. Milton adds. For example, TD Bank has deployed 25,000 Copilots to staff members across multiple lines of business, with an 80 per user engagement rate. In the Government of Ontario, 15,000 public servants are using Copilot every week to boost productivity and efficiency.
It’s time for governments and companies across Canada to follow the lead of forward-thinking organizations like these, Mr. Milton says.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, with Microsoft president and vice-chair Brad Smith in Ottawa discussing Microsoft’s landmark investment in sovereign AI.SUPPLIED
An investment in Canada’s digital future
To help bolster Canada’s AI leadership, Microsoft Canada has made a historic $19-billion investment in domestic digital AI adoption and innovation. That commitment, which was announced in early December, will facilitate the creation of new AI infrastructure and new capacity, and defend and protect Canada’s digital sovereignty, privacy and cybersecurity.
“The investments we made are intended to address some of the roadblocks in the diffusion [of AI in Canada], namely around capacity and trust,” says Mr. Milton, noting that Microsoft has a 40-year track record of innovation in Canada and a deep relationship with the Canadian people.
“We’re bringing more capacity to Canadian soil and directly addressing questions around data residency, privacy and security.”
The investment will focus on creating greater AI access, especially at the government and enterprise level and supporting Canada’s AI innovation ecosystem, Mr. Milton says. Part of that effort includes AI skills development in Canadian organizations and educational institutions.
Microsoft president Brad Smith, left, and Microsoft Canada president Matt Milton in Ottawa.SUPPLIED
A commitment to growing responsibly
Mr. Milton acknowledges that Canadians have important questions about the pace of datacentre expansion and its environmental impact. He emphasizes that Microsoft is committed to growing responsibly, designing facilities that use less water, run on clean energy and continuously improve their efficiency and performance.
He points to multiple partnerships with Canadian innovators like Arca, with whom Microsoft recently signed a landmark agreement expected to deliver nearly 300,000 tonnes of durable carbon removal over the next decade.
“We have real problems to solve, and we’re committed to being a first mover, an investor and a customer in Canada’s transition to a more sustainable future,” Mr. Milton notes. He says that this moment presents an opportunity not only for Microsoft, but for Canadian companies across the clean‑tech and energy ecosystem to help shape the next generation of sustainable digital infrastructure.
Mr. Milton adds that Microsoft wants to help Canadians understand and get excited about AI’s potential. Innovative organizations from coast to coast to coast are already using AI to accomplish incredible things, and Microsoft wants to celebrate, accelerate and expand those achievements.
“In my opinion, the only way to really get there is to use it every day; to understand its capabilities, to become knowledgeable enough in it that you can see the benefits and opportunities it can generate.”
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio with Microsoft. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.