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Madison McLauchlan

@madisonmcla.bsky.social
145 followers 171 following 92 posts

Reporter at @betakit.com / Tiohtià:ke/Montréal / Views are my own

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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
An update from me on Canada's Real-Time Rail system. After repeated delays, phase 1 is scheduled to go live this year. But Canada’s biggest banks, which settle the majority of payments, likely won’t be participating in this first phase, sources say. betakit.com/canadas-init...
betakit.com
Canada’s initial real-time rail rollout likely won’t include big banks, sources say | BetaKit
Feds say they will aim to have all major financial institutions on board by next summer.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 08/10/2026
In the Wednesday edition of The BetaKit Newsletter, @madisonmcla.bsky.social dissects what Québec's provincial election means for its tech sector. Plus: 🍁Bye-bye Buy Canadian? 💰Big tech takes on big debt 🛍️Shopify recognized as top employer
betakit.com
Québec tech’s stress goes beyond separation
Plus: The Canadian companies trying to fill Starlink’s void.
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Scientific American @sciam.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
For the first time, scientists recorded bacteria in the act of transferring functional proteins to neighboring bacteria in order to evade antibiotics.
scientificamerican.com
Scientists catch bacteria sharing proteins to survive antibiotics
Bacteria send protein packages to dormant neighbors to endure antibiotic attack
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David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Wow. This is a major scoop from Mark Follman. Great reporting and a troubling story about AI that everyone should read.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 21/09/2026
Canada’s AI collaboration with Germany was on full display at ALL IN. For The BetaKit Newsletter, @madisonmcla.bsky.social sums up everything you missed from the conference. Plus: 💳 Wise launches Canadian chequing 🚀 Inside Canada Rocket Company 💰 Amplify Capital closes third impact fund
betakit.com
Canada is leading by example in AI
With the global spotlight on Canada this week, this year ALL IN drew its largest crowd yet and saw Canada retake a leadership role in developing the tech.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
They also partnered with @mozilla.org on open-source AI development! betakit.com/mila-and-moz...
betakit.com
Mila and Mozilla announce plans to build open-source AI for businesses | BetaKit
The Canadian government-backed project has received $5 million from Firefox maker and $1 million from Hypertec.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
MTL's Mila is in talks with the feds for "tens of millions" in new funding, now that they've been tapped for the open-source AI file from the feds' AI strategy. betakit.com/mila-negotia...
betakit.com
Mila negotiating new federal funding after being tasked with open-source AI file | BetaKit
Solomon: “It’s in the tens of millions. It’s serious backing, and we’re backing Mila.”
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 16/09/2026
.@evansolomon.bsky.social said the government is planning “not just a regulator that can name and shame, but that can hold these big tech companies to account if they are abusive, with billions of dollars in fines.”
betakit.com
AI minister affirms Canada will have tech super-regulator “with teeth” | BetaKit
At ALL IN, Evan Solomon also teased AI supercomputer selection this fall.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A quantum computing facility. A direct air carbon capture project. Micro nuclear reactors. And a whole whack of AI data centres. Here are some of the tech-related projects included in a pitchbook for investors at next week's Canada Investment Summit in Toronto. betakit.com/the-tech-pro...
betakit.com
The tech projects Canada is selling to global investors at next week’s summit | BetaKit
The pitchbook of investable Canadian projects spans quantum, AI data centres, and carbon capture.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Rumpelstiltskin returns
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Anna Mehler Paperny @mehlerpaperny.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Canada is talking a big game on sovereignty. Why aren't we walking that talk in the digital realm? www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... via @jamespmcleod.ca
thestar.com
Google changing Lake Ontario to Lake America isn’t just frustrating. It points to a deeper problem for Mark Carney
Canada’s digital infrastructure is too tied to companies like Google, Microsoft and Amazon.
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Canada Healthwatch 🍁 @canadahealthwatch.ca · 08/08/2026
For Canadian femtech, women’s autonomy is part of the business model:https://betakit.com/for-canadian-femtech-womens-autonomy-is-part-of-the-business-model/ by @madisonmcla.bsky.social. Find out more at canadahealthwatch.ca
betakit.com
For Canadian femtech, women’s autonomy is part of the business model
Virtual healthcare that puts women’s control at the forefront is attracting VC dollars.
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Alex Riehl @alexriehl.com · 23/07/2026
Who else is Odyssey-maxxing? I spoke with IMAX’s global president about the 🇨🇦 innovation behind Christopher Nolan’s summer blockbuster, and if the company can get the IMAX experience into more theatres.
betakit.com
Q&A: How The Odyssey’s new IMAX cameras were designed right here in Canada | BetaKit
IMAX Theatres’ global president says the Canadian film company wants to redesign its projection technology next.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Nova Scotia startup Elle MD is developing a new birth control device that it hopes will deliver the same effectiveness with fewer side effects. It just raised $1.1 million to move forward with first-in-human trials. betakit.com/elle-md-rais...
betakit.com
Elle MD raises $1.1 million to develop non-hormonal, easily removable birth control ring | BetaKit
Nova Scotia femtech startup plans for Ottawa Hospital clinical trials in the fall.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
NEW: Anthropic announced $10 million CAD to some of Canada's top universities and the big three AI institutes Mila, Amii, and Vector. All of them are getting Claude credits to do AI research. betakit.com/anthropic-co...
betakit.com
Anthropic commits $10 million to Canadian institutions for AI research | BetaKit
The AI giant is offering Claude credits to top universities and AI institutes.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
the ones on Roku are particularly horrific
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 29/06/2026
@Gandersocial.ca is rolling out its Canadian-built social media platform nationwide on July 1. #CDNtech
betakit.com
Gander Social to launch to public on Canada Day |
The Canadian-made social media network will roll out nationwide after already tallying 18,000 beta users.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Prediction markets coming to Canada: Wealthsimple partners with Kalshi to launch prediction markets app 👀 betakit.com/wealthsimple...
betakit.com
Wealthsimple partners with US exchange Kalshi to launch prediction market app
Users can only make predictions on climate, economic markets, and financial indicators.
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Sarah Rieger @sarahcrgr.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
@madisonmcla.bsky.social is a tech reporter, and definitely not an MMA devotee ...which is exactly why we sent her to hang out w/ UFC fighters to hear all about how they're trying to biohack their way to a win: betakit.com/can-a-saliva...
betakit.com
Can a saliva test make UFC athletes better fighters? This Canadian startup is betting on it | BetaKit
Ahead of the White House's UFC fight, Kintra is using AI-powered biomarkers to help fighters eke out an edge.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Montréal's Aiemann Zahabi is fighting at the White House's UFC 250 Freedom on Sunday. A Canadian tech startup Kintra is helping him get there with its AI biometric platform. But how effective are these tech tools in improving physical performance for athletes? betakit.com/can-a-saliva...
betakit.com
Can a saliva test make UFC athletes better fighters? This Canadian startup is betting on it | BetaKit
Ahead of the White House's UFC fight, Kintra is using AI-powered biomarkers to help fighters eke out an edge.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
X is still violating Canadian privacy by allowing Grok's deepfakes, the OPC found. But what's a privacy commissioner's office to do if it can't impose fines or orders? betakit.com/elon-musks-x...
betakit.com
Elon Musk’s X continues to violate Canadian privacy law with Grok deepfakes, watchdog finds | BetaKit
X and xAI will submit quarterly reports and third-party audits to the OPC until the issue is resolved.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
The AI strategy is (finally) here. Read BetaKit's first overview file of it via @alexriehl.com betakit.com/canadas-ai-s...
betakit.com
Canada’s AI strategy contains $2.3 billion in spending but few details on new privacy regulations | BetaKit
The delayed strategy promises a plan to encourage Canadians to reinvest their tech investment gains in AI startups.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Canada's AI champion Cohere says it's not working with controversial data firm Palantir, despite reports of a partnership. betakit.com/cohere-says-...
betakit.com
Cohere says it is not working with Palantir | BetaKit
The Toronto AI company says it has no relationship with the US firm, following reports of a partnership.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 27/05/2026
Jim Balsillie’s core argument is not that Canada lacks ambition. It's that Canada is still using an economic playbook built for another century.
betakit.com
Jim Balsillie says Canada must put forward economic policy for the 21st century | BetaKit
The CCI chair spoke on taking lessons from US economic policy during BetaKit’s Most Ambitious: Town Hall.
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hclark @hclark.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
While 'shovels in the ground' is an important metric to guage government effectivness, so is keeping cutting-edge Canadian companies/startups here in Canada. Some clear wins outlined at the @betakit.com town hall this week:
betakit.com
At Most Ambitious: Town Hall, Canadian tech’s future came into sharper focus | BetaKit
Canada’s AI minister, leaders of Waabi and Xanadu spoke to a sold-out crowd at BetaKit’s Toronto Tech Week kickoff event.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
there there
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 19/05/2026
Proud moment for BetaKit: Josh Scott and @madisonmcla.bsky.social have both been named finalists for a SABEW Best in Business award. 🏆 Congrats to Josh and Madison on this well-deserved recognition.
sabew.org
Finalists Announced for SABEW Canada’s Best in Business Awards | SABEW
The Canadian chapter of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW) today announced the finalists for its 12th annual Best in Business Awards competition, recognizing outstanding…
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Oh no
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Sarah Rieger @sarahcrgr.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Is your workplace encouraging you to use AI? Or is your office AI free? Fill out our survey to let us know: betakit.com/are-you-toke...
betakit.com
Are you tokenmaxxing? Tell us | BetaKit
BetaKit wants to know how much you’re using AI at work, and why.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
not worrying at all
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
@xavierrichervis.bsky.social worked with @sarahcrgr.bsky.social and I to run an independent, keyboard based data analysis on the 64,000+ responses from 11,300+ participants in the public consultation.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Full story here: betakit.com/canada-ai-co...
betakit.com
AI ethical concerns roughly as important to Canadians as economic growth, analysis shows | BetaKit
We analyzed the more than 11,300 public comments informing feds’ AI strategy.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Canadians are nearly as concerned about the ethical harms of AI as they are about its potential for economic growth.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
"Stakeholders were divided between optimism for AI’s potential and skepticism about its risks." That's a line from the feds' summary report from its public consultations on its upcoming AI strategy. But we had no idea how many people felt one way or another. We set out to find out:
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 27/04/2026
Was inevitable that Canada's government-crowned AI champion would partner with a foreign firm? In The BetaKit Newsletter, @madisonmcla.bsky.social highlights the AI sovereignty challenges facing middle powers, and how the Cohere and Aleph Alpha partnership fits in. betakit.com/in-ai-its-us...
betakit.com
In AI, it’s US vs. the world
Plus: This Canadian company almost hired an AI candidate.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Canada's Cohere to acquire Germany’s Aleph Alpha in sovereign AI play. The combined company will continue under the Cohere name and Aidan Gomez will remain CEO. via @alexriehl.com @betakit.com betakit.com/cohere-to-ac...
betakit.com
Cohere to acquire Germany’s Aleph Alpha in sovereign AI play | BetaKit
Combined company will bear Cohere name with Aidan Gomez leading as CEO.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 15/04/2026
Canadian FinTech Wealthsimple has launched a trading integration with Elon Musk's X platform. Here's how it's stirring praise, and backlash, from some users.
betakit.com
Wealthsimple partners with Elon Musk’s X for direct stock trading via social media
Stock tickers on X posts will now link to FinTech’s trading platform for Canadian users.
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BetaKit @betakit.com · 15/04/2026
Toronto's Kepler Communications has landed another contract with the European Space Agency (@esa.int) for its HydRON ELement 3 project. #CDNtech
betakit.com
Kepler to lead testing of European Space Agency’s high-speed data network
Toronto firm helped architect the first phase of the HydRON project.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
New: @mozilla.org is partnering with @mila-quebec.bsky.social to work on open-source AI projects, with an initial $1 million CAD betakit.com/mila-teams-u...
betakit.com
Mila teams up with Mozilla to build open-source AI tools | BetaKit
The Firefox maker is investing an initial $1 million into the partnership with Montréal's AI institute.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Canadian software firm OpenText $OTEX employees report job cuts tied to apparent restructuring, via @alexriehl.com betakit.com/opentext-emp...
betakit.com
OpenText employees report job cuts tied to apparent restructuring | BetaKit
The cuts come as former IBM Americas president Ayman Antoun prepares to take over as CEO.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Pretty cool news today for Montréal, Québec, and Canada. @umontreal.ca Gilles Brassard was awarded computer science's highest honour for his quantum breakthroughs, alongside longtime collaborator Charles H. Bennett betakit.com/montreal-com...
betakit.com
Montréal computer scientist Gilles Brassard wins Turing Award for quantum discoveries | BetaKit
The Université de Montréal professor was honoured alongside US physicist Charles H. Bennett.
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Alex Cosh @alex.readthemaple.com · 10/03/2026
We functionally do not have a legislated Access to Information system in Canada. Federal departments face zero consequences for simply ignoring the rules. They are effectively allowed to only hand over documents if they feel like it. www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Information commissioner ‘disappointed’ by lack of federal ambition on access reform
Information commissioner says most of the complaints her office receives relate to the failure to respond to applications for documents within legislated timelines.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Canadian tech advocacy group CCI argues that governments should take a similar 'buy Canadian' approach to #healthtech as it did for the Defence Industrial Strategy: betakit.com/cci-wants-go...
betakit.com
CCI wants governments to buy more Canadian healthtech | BetaKit
The tech advocacy group urges an overhaul of procurement and data management to support domestic companies.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Thanks to @dustyweb.bsky.social and Paige Saunders for being so generous with their time!
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
I got to hear from some of the architects and builders of the Fediverse at FediMTL in Montréal yesterday. I learned a ton about decentralized social media and how it's taken on newfound urgency with Canada's push toward digital sovereignty. betakit.com/can-canada-f...
betakit.com
Can Canada find digital sovereignty in the Fediverse? | BetaKit
At FediMTL, advocates say growing the social web is vital to combating Big Tech.
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Sarah Rieger @sarahcrgr.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Talking about the Fediverse often feels like it merits a "stop trying to make fetch happen" response. But at a recent conference in Montréal, advocates said figuring out how to build a decentralized web people will actually use is a must. betakit.com/can-canada-f... by @madisonmcla.bsky.social
betakit.com
Can Canada find digital sovereignty in the Fediverse? | BetaKit
At FediMTL, advocates say growing the social web is vital to combating Big Tech.
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Such a good deep dive into Quebec quantum history
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
I joined @trondizzle.bsky.social on the @betakit.com Podcast to talk about an anonymous feedback report on Crown corporation BDC, and why it matters for Canadian tech. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngmk...
youtube.com
Is Canada's bank for entrepreneurs too big to fail?
YouTube video by BetaKit
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Madison McLauchlan @madisonmcla.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
BC's Photonic is claiming that it teleported quantum information over 30km of Telus fibre-optic cable, as the company looks to make #quantum business-ready betakit.com/photonic-cla...
betakit.com
Photonic claims “world-first” quantum teleportation across Telus fibre network
Quantum company deepens partnership with investor and telecom giant.
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