What does it take to protect a key strategic asset— our health data — in an era of accelerating AI? In this episode, we explore why data sovereignty is a strategic imperative for Canada, and the digital health future we stand to build — or lose.

Guests:

• Dr. Kumanan Wilson, Specialist in General Internal Medicine at The Ottawa Hospital; Chief Executive Officer/Chief Scientific Officer, Bruyère Health Research Institute; Vice President Research & Academic Affairs, Bruyère Health; and Chief Scientific Officer of CANImmunize Inc.
• Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa.

Learn More:

Ensuring the sovereignty and security of Canadian health data

The catch-22 of Canadian digital sovereignty

e-Health Conference and Tradeshow

Summary:

00:00 Why Canada's health data matters in the age of AI

01:41 Kumanan's journey: from public health to building an immunization app

03:38 Michael Geist's path: law, tech policy, privacy & data

05:22 Defining data sovereignty

09:40 When laws collide

15:27 Health benefit vs economic benefit

20:43 Practical safeguards and strategies

26:23 Learning from global examples

30:15 Closing reflections

Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.