UK and Canada Hold First Talks on AI Risks and Defence Finance
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held their first one-on-one meeting in Liverpool, covering AI risks, defence cooperation and joint initiatives. Al Jazeera
The meeting happened during Carney's September 15 to September 17 trip to Strasbourg and Liverpool. The Canadian Prime Minister's Office said the purpose was to strengthen Canada's ties with European partners. Government of Canada A Canadian readout published September 16 confirmed the session with Burnham in the United Kingdom. Government of Canada
On AI, the British Prime Minister's Office said Wednesday the two leaders agreed governments and the tech industry must work together on online safety and AI risks. Reuters reported September 16 that the pair discussed AI challenges and stressed cooperation on online safety.
Neither country has a dedicated law that governs AI. Britain has followed a pro-innovation, sector-led model since a March 2023 policy paper, meaning existing regulators for areas like finance or health oversee AI in their fields instead of a single AI law. Canada's Artificial Intelligence and Data Act ended when Parliament was prorogued (suspended) in January 2025, which cancelled all pending bills, and it has not been reintroduced. Ottawa now relies on privacy law and a voluntary industry code for AI.
A spokesperson for Burnham said companies building the most advanced AI systems are now speaking openly about both risks and opportunities. The spokesperson said AI decisions should be based on evidence rather than speculation, and warned current rules may not stay adequate as AI capabilities grow.
On defence, talks focused on reconciling competing British and Canadian plans for an allied military financing bank, essentially a shared fund to pay for military equipment. Canada has applied to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a rapid-response military grouping, and has joined the Global Combat Air Programme, a next-generation fighter jet project, as an observer. Separately, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the EU's first associate member, a formal partner status.
The leaders ended the day together at Everton's stadium in Liverpool, watching an evening football match.
In August, Britain and Ukraine signed an AI defence partnership tied to battlefield technology. The deal covers pilot projects including technology that turns fibre-optic cables into AI-enabled sensors. Reuters Around the same time, Burnham urged allies to "do everything we can" and to "dig into our own stocks of air defence" to help defend Ukraine's skies. As prime minister, Burnham has pledged to deliver stability and give immediate help on the cost-of-living crisis.
The broader context here is a pairing of technology rules and military planning. London and Ottawa are both working without AI laws while advanced AI moves into weapons and defence systems. Their stress on evidence and partnership with industry reads as a way to keep future lawmaking open while staying able to work with allies already using AI on the battlefield.
Looking at what this means for the months ahead, the financing bank will test whether agreement between two countries can grow wider. Reconciling two national plans is still negotiation, not delivery. Canada's JEF application and GCAP observer role give it a foothold in UK-led defence groups. Whether that leads to buying commitments, cost-sharing deals or common standards for AI in weapons will depend on detailed staff work not described in the readouts.
