In March, experts outlined why Alberta is a contender in the race to build AI infrastructure. Months later, Meta unveiled official plans for a $13 billion data centre northeast of Edmonton.
The artificial intelligence economy is expected to contribute up to US$16 trillion to the global economy in the 2030s. Alberta’s data centre strategy has already attracted nearly $200 billion in potential private investment.
Data centres are now considered “critical infrastructure” according to the government of Canada, which acknowledges their role across healthcare, finance, research, and the digital economy.
Building more capacity inside Canadian borders is a goal of the federal government, which this month established Canada’s Responsible Data Centre Development Principles.
“Canada is building the digital infrastructure we need to lead in the age of AI, grow our economy, and strengthen our sovereignty,” stated Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon.
The Principles aim to establish a common national framework for how Canada builds the data centre capacity it needs, with five expectations for projects.
First, data centres must “create lasting local benefits.” Second, they must not “shift electricity costs to Canadians.” Third, water use and environmental impacts are to be carefully considered. Fourth, impacts must be transparently communicated to local communities. And finally, projects must “bring strategic value to Canada.”
“These principles set a clear national standard,” Solomon believes.
Signatories include Beacon AI and Denvr Dataworks, both based out of Calgary.
Founded in 2023, Beacon has ambitious plans for data centres in Alberta.
“Canada has every ingredient needed to become a global leader in artificial intelligence: talent, energy, innovation, and strong communities,” says CEO David Lane. “These principles recognize that responsible data centre development can strengthen all four, and we’re proud to stand with governments, municipalities, and industry in supporting them.”
Founded in 2017, Denvr is behind the Canada AI Platform, a system of fully Canadian infrastructure designed to support classified AI workloads within national jurisdiction.
“Building Canada’s AI future is about more than adding compute capacity, it is about how that capacity is built, where it is built, and ensuring Canadians benefit from it,” posits Denvr CEO Dan Leckelt. “As we continue to build sovereign AI infrastructure here at home, we believe Canada has an opportunity to strengthen its digital resilience and security, support Canadian innovation, and ensure the infrastructure powering our digital economy delivers lasting benefits for generations to come.”
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