UK and Canada discuss AI risks and defence ties

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held their first bilateral meeting in Liverpool, focusing on defence cooperation and the risks of AI. The British Prime Minister’s Office said the leaders agreed that governments and the tech sector need to work together to improve online safety and address emerging AI harms.

The talks followed remarks from Burnham’s spokesperson welcoming more open discussion among AI companies about both risks and opportunities. The spokesperson said policy decisions should be grounded in evidence rather than speculation and warned that existing regulatory frameworks may not be sufficient as AI capabilities advance.

Neither the United Kingdom nor Canada currently has a dedicated AI law. Britain has pursued a “pro-innovation”, sector-led approach since releasing its policy paper in March 2023, while Canada’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Act lapsed when parliament was prorogued in January 2025 and has not been revived.

Defence discussions focused on reconciling British and Canadian proposals for an allied military financing bank. Canada is also applying to the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force and has joined the Global Combat Air Programme as an observer, while seeking closer ties with Europe amid trade tensions with the United States.