Peter MacKinnon’s career has consistently intersected with disruptive technologies and business models. He has been deeply involved with artificial intelligence since the early 1980s, when he was seconded to the Government of Canada to write the first memorandum to Cabinet on AI. In that role, he also played a pivotal part in introducing the TCP/IP protocol to Canada, helping to establish the foundation for the Internet in this country nearly a decade before it became commercialized. His contributions did not stop there. He was instrumental in the creation of Canada’s National Research and Education Network and the national high-performance computing infrastructure that evolved into today’s Digital Research Alliance of Canada. Peter also co-authored the business plan for CIRA, Canada’s Internet Registration Authority. Internationally, he has represented Canada at the OECD on internet and data security, encryption, and governance issues. Today, he remains active on numerous AI-related committees worldwide, including IEEE’s AI Policy Committee in Washington, the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, and AI ethics working groups. Most recently, he became Executive Director of the Global Research Institute on Integrity for Technology, focusing on how integrity and ethics intersect in technology development and use.
“I was seconded to the Government of Canada in 1986 to write the first memorandum to cabinet on artificial intelligence, and during that secondment, I played a central role in bringing the Internet to Canada.”
Which emerging trends in AI are you most closely watching?
For Peter, the greatest concern is not the technology itself, but its potential misuse. Alongside his colleagues, he has written numerous op-eds for Canadian policy organizations warning about disinformation, fraud, and malicious applications of AI. While he believes AI can deliver enormous societal and economic benefits, he insists that policymakers must stay alert to risks that threaten trust, security, and stability.
His scientific background in glaciology and climate change also shapes his perspective. Early in his career, Peter worked on ice-core research that helped reconstruct historical climates and later contributed to the development of the “nuclear winter” concept. These experiences gave him a lifelong appreciation for the intersection of science, policy, and existential risks, an outlook that now informs his approach to AI.
“My major concern about AI is actually not per se technical, but it’s about the misuse of artificial intelligence… We’re much more concerned with getting messages through to policy people.”
How is Canada uniquely positioned in the global AI landscape?
Peter sees Canada’s strength not in competing head-to-head with the largest players like the United States, China, or the UK, but in carving out leadership in AI safety. He has already helped spearhead discussions with India on bilateral collaboration, highlighting the role of diplomatic “soft power” in building global trust and cooperation.
This orientation reflects a strategic opportunity: while Canada cannot match others in scale of investment, it can lead in setting rules, frameworks, and practices that shape the responsible use of AI worldwide.
“We’re uniquely positioned to perhaps play a leading role in the international promotion of AI safety.”
Will AI regulations and ethical frameworks hinder innovation?
While some argue that regulations slow down innovation, Peter strongly disagrees. He believes responsible frameworks are essential precisely because AI is already “out in the wild.” With billions of users worldwide and few restrictions in some jurisdictions, the risks of disinformation, fraud, and malicious use are too high to ignore.
He contrasts Europe’s ethics-driven approach with the United States’ more laissez-faire model. After reviewing recent U.S. executive orders on AI, he and his peers concluded they were contradictory and amateurish, raising serious doubts about America’s regulatory direction. Canada, meanwhile, aligns more closely with the European emphasis on responsibility.
“I’m an absolute believer that AI is a transformative positive technology that can add great value to society…”
How can Canada stay competitive when the rules of the game differ globally?
Staying competitive is a challenge, Peter acknowledges, particularly given Canada’s history of failing to scale companies. He points to the loss of Nortel Networks, once a global telecom leader handling 70% of the world’s internet traffic, as a cautionary tale. While Canada still produces top-tier AI research and promising startups, funding remains a major barrier to growth.
Companies like Cohere in Toronto and MindBridge Analytics in Ottawa show strong potential. MindBridge, which applies AI to detect financial fraud, is already used by global firms like KPMG and recognized by the World Economic Forum. But these remain exceptions. Without stronger investment and better scaling mechanisms, Canada risks falling further behind countries with dozens of AI unicorns.
“Canada has got exceptional skill at the research level… but we only have a handful of unicorns, while India has 17 AI unicorns.”
What role should governments and public policy play in shaping the future of AI?
Peter emphasizes that governments must strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring safety. He applauds Canada’s recent steps, including the creation of an AI Safety Institute and the appointment of a federal Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, one of the first such positions in the world. These moves reflect recognition that AI is not just a technical issue, but a central policy priority requiring strong leadership.
Still, scaling Canadian AI companies will require greater resources. While Europe can pool investments across multiple nations, and the U.S. and China can leverage massive private and public funding, Canada’s companies face capital shortages. Policy can help address this, but global competitiveness will remain a major hurdle.
“We’re one of the first countries in the world to have an actual minister for AI… I think that’s a positive step.”
How will AI impact jobs and the future of work?
Peter warns that AI will transform not just manual labor but also professional work. Entry-level and intermediate programming jobs, for example, are increasingly automated by AI-generated code, leaving only highly experienced developers in demand. Similar pressures are emerging in fields like finance, customer service, and analysis.
The rise of AI agents, specialized systems that can manage payroll, HR, or other business functions, will improve efficiency but also displace many professionals. If these agents evolve into collaborative “swarms,” their collective impact could reshape entire enterprises.
“Almost all computer programming is going to be done by AI… Entry-level programmers, intermediate programmers, their jobs are basically doomed.”
How does Global Advantage add value in tackling these complex issues?
In closing, Peter highlights the role Global Advantage plays as a bridge between research, policy, and practice. By mapping ecosystems, analyzing flows of money, people, and information, and communicating clearly with decision-makers, the firm provides strategic insights that help governments and organizations navigate complexity.
He likens Global Advantage to an AI agent itself, interconnected, responsive, and able to distill complexity into actionable strategies. In his view, Canada may never dominate the AI industry in scale, but it can shape global frameworks on safety and ethics, and Global Advantage is uniquely positioned to help make that happen.
