Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1653 - AI, Power & Sovereignty: Rafal Rohozinski on Canada’s Digital Future

On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, host Brian Crombie is joined by global cyber risk and digital security expert Rafal Rohozinski for a deep dive into artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, and the shifting global balance of power. The conversation explores how AI is rapidly evolving into a geopolitical force, reshaping international competition and national security. Rohozinski outlines how the United States and China are developing competing AI ecosystems, and why control of digital infrastructure is becoming as strategically important as energy once was. The discussion turns to Canada’s vulnerability, highlighting its dependence on foreign-controlled digital infrastructure and limited share of global AI investment despite a strong research talent base. Crombie and Rohozinski examine what digital sovereignty could look like for Canada and whether national AI champions or targeted innovation strategies are needed to remain competitive. The episode also addresses the growing role of AI in warfare, including autonomous systems, drone technology, and the ethical challenges of removing humans from lethal decision-making. Despite these risks, Rohozinski argues Canada still has opportunities to build strength in specialized AI sectors such as healthcare, defense, and industrial applications. The conversation concludes with a central question: whether Canada will become a leading participant in the AI era — or remain a dependent user of foreign systems.