Building Trust and Competitiveness in Ontario’s AI Economy: Hon. Stephen Crawford

Ontario stands at a crossroads: home to world-class AI research and a $16.5 billion technology ecosystem, yet facing an adoption gap that could undermine long-term competitiveness. In this Empire Club keynote and conversation, The Honourable Stephen Crawford—Ontario's Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement—joins Bob Courteau, Board Chair of Kinaxis, to map how AI is transforming government services, global supply chains, and economic opportunity.Minister Crawford outlines Ontario's unique five-part advantage (technology talent, manufacturing, financial services, critical minerals, and energy infrastructure), explains howBill 194 establishes gold-standard governance for responsible AI deployment, and addresses why trust—not just technical capability—determines adoption.This conversation offers business leaders, policymakers, and technology professionals clarity on Ontario's AI strategy, concrete examples of public sector productivity gains, and a framework for understanding how responsible governance accelerates—rather than hinders—innovation.Watch, listen, and join the conversation on how Ontario can lead the AI revolution while building the public trust that makes adoption possible. Subscribe to the Empire Club for more conversations shaping Canada's economic future, explore membership opportunities, or discover how your organization can partner with us to bring critical dialogues to decision-makers nationwide.