Canada and Ireland partner on AI, tech, and food security
Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Ireland's head of government to expand cooperation on artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences.
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Canada and Ireland have agreed to work together on key issues including artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and food security, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Saturday during a press conference with Ireland's head of government Micheál Martin.
Carney said his visit was about "strengthening a relationship that is already flourishing." The countries have complementary strategies in AI — Ireland published its AI strategy last winter, while Canada released its plan earlier this month.
The partnership will expand cooperation in life sciences, including skills development for students and more resources for researchers. Canada will also work to open a regenerative medicine hub in Ireland.
On Saturday afternoon, Carney participated in a discussion on transatlantic ties between Canada and Europe, and later attended an official dinner hosted by Martin.
The agreement comes as Ireland prepares to assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union in July. Deirdre Giblin, head of the Ireland Canada Business Association, said Irish exports to Canada have nearly quadruple in value since 2018, following the CETA trade deal between Canada and the EU. Ireland is expected to fully ratify CETA within two to three weeks after Carney's visit, as the government wraps up reforms to its arbitration law.
On Sunday, Carney heads to County Mayo to visit his family's ancestral home and meet with Irish President Catherine Connolly.