Selling AI Abroad While the Home Front Wavers

Send us Fan MailCanada is sending an AI delegation to the World Governments Summit in Dubai this week—over 200 companies applied to pitch Canadian AI solutions to 35 heads of state and 6,000 participants. The mission follows an October MOU between Minister Evan Solomon and the UAE, with delegates presenting "responsible, human-centred AI" for government decision-making, health services, and public safety.But new data from IBM suggests the home front isn't as confident. While 86% of Canadian executives already use agentic AI and 68% expect AI agents to act independently by year's end, only 36% of Canadian workers are willing to be managed by AI—below the global average of 48%. And 82% of consumers say they'd trust a brand less if it concealed AI use.This episode examines the gap between Canada's international AI brand and domestic reality: executives racing to deploy while workers pump the brakes on trust, governance frameworks that remain aspirational, and a talent shortage that shows no signs of easing. Canada is marketing AI sovereignty abroad while struggling to build the foundation at home.Sources: IBM Institute for Business Value "Five Trends for 2026" report; SCALE AI World Governments Summit announcement; Episode 15 research on Ontario AI principles and implementation challenges.Tags/KeywordsCanada AI policyAI governanceIBM AI reportWorld Governments Summit DubaiSCALE AIAI trustAgentic AIAI sovereigntyEvan SolomonUAE Canada AICanadian tech policyAI workforceAI deploymentChapter Markers / TimecodesTimeChapter00:00 | Introduction — Canada's AI delegation to Dubai00:45 | IBM report: Two stories in one01:30 | Executives all in: 86% using agentic AI02:15 | Workers pump the brakes: Only 36% willing to be managed by AI03:00 | The trust number: 82% would trust brands less03:30 | What Canada is selling in Dubai04:30 | The gap: International brand vs domestic reality05:30 | 92% want AI sovereignty — but what does that require?06:15 | Global context: Everyone is struggling07:00 | The pressure to deploy vs pressure to govern07:30 | Closing — You can't export your way out of a trust problem