OpenAI is shifting its focus toward Canada, viewing it as a key potential market for data center expansion and artificial intelligence development.

On September 15, OpenAI's head of national affairs, George Osborne, said in an interview on the sidelines of the Canadian Investment Summit that Canada is "a very important market for OpenAI, with significant untapped potential."

He specifically highlighted that, thanks to an abundant supply of energy and land resources, there are tangible opportunities for data center partnerships in the country.

Osborne also offered a positive assessment of the Carney government's AI strategy, calling it "one of the clearest AI adoption plans among Western governments," and expressed admiration for Carney's medium- and long-term vision.

This endorsement serves as a powerful vote of confidence for the Canadian government, which is actively courting top-tier technology investors.

Steady Policy Amid Trade Turbulence

Osborne, who served as the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016, lived through a series of trade disruptions surrounding the Brexit referendum and has a deep understanding of policy uncertainty.

Now attending in his capacity as OpenAI's head of national affairs—a role focused on international liaison—Osborne commented on the current Canada-US trade friction, noting: "If you want to understand what's happening in the world, you should come to Canada and see how they are navigating what Carney calls 'turmoil.'"

Despite the short-term pressures from the Canada-US trade war, Osborne believes Carney has demonstrated strategic vision that extends beyond the present moment. Osborne stated: "What I hear from Carney is an ability to see beyond the immediate storm and clearly articulate Canada's medium- and long-term roadmap. That is impressive."

Worth noting, Osborne has deep ties to Canadian political circles—it was during his tenure as UK Chancellor that he introduced Carney to the role of Bank of England Governor.

The Canadian Investment Summit, hosted by Prime Minister Carney, aims to showcase Canada's investment opportunities to top global asset managers and investors. According to Bloomberg, participating institutions collectively manage over $120 trillion in assets, with attendees hailing from Australia, Singapore, and the United States.

The summit focused heavily on infrastructure, covering projects such as pipelines, ports, and transportation networks, while also exploring investment opportunities in resource sectors like energy and critical minerals. During the summit, the Canadian government announced expanded tax incentive measures, which officials described as a "game-changer for investment."