Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 06/06/2026Canada bids to lead middle powers in AI sovereignty race politi.co/4o7m3V7 via @politico.compoliti.coCanada bids to lead middle powers in AI sovereignty raceThe Liberal government is betting that Canada can carve a path away from U.S. technology. 000
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 05/06/2026Some thoughts from Jaxson Khan and I in today's @theglobeandmail.com on Canada's new National AI Strategy ("AI for All"). www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...theglobeandmail.comOpinion: Canada’s new AI strategy has to make up for a lot of lost timeSuccess will depend on a mix of determined implementation and continuing responsiveness to new challenges and developments 000
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 02/06/20261/Last Thursday (May 28th), I had the honour of appearing before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology, as part of its study on the Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation of AI in Canada's Strategic Industries. 🧵 100
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 11/05/2026Excited to be speaking at AI CON Canada in Halifax on May 29th on "Sovereign by Design: A Pragmatic Path for Canadian AI". Event details can be found here: ai-con.ai/canada 100
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 30/04/2026How will the lawsuits against OpenAI affect the development of the AI industry? Pleased to have shared some thoughts with Global News last night. 👇👇 globalnews.ca/video/118233...globalnews.caMusk lawsuit against Altman, Microsoft gets heated; seeks to revert OpenAI to non-profit | Watch News Videos OnlineWatch Musk lawsuit against Altman, Microsoft gets heated; seeks to revert OpenAI to non-profit Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca 000
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 09/04/2026Fantastic work by The Logic to find and map every data centre in Canada... thelogic.co/news/the-big...thelogic.coWe found every data centre in Canada - The LogicFrom the building boom in Alberta to a host of legacy facilities near Toronto and Montreal, our reporting reveals the scale of Canada’s data centre industry—and the challenges it faces 000
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 28/03/2026Check out this amazing article on the stupidity of the Trump tariff regime. In short, 50% tariffs caused Canada to redirect almost 60% of aluminum production to elsewhere in the world -- and now the US has a shortage, just as they need to rearm due to the Iran war. www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...bloomberg.comThe World's Dumbest Tariff Has Been RevealedWith the Iran war threatening supplies of critical, energy-intensive materials, one might assume the US government was prepared for this risk and has been working hard to soften the blow. In the case ... 2114
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Last call: If you're interested in AI sovereignty in Canada, join Jaxson Khan and I on Monday @ 4pm. 👇 munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/canada... 000
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 26/03/2026Fantastic idea and amazing partnership..... Mila teams up with Mozilla to build open-source AI tools betakit.com/mila-teams-u...betakit.comMila teams up with Mozilla to build open-source AI tools | BetaKitThe Firefox maker is investing an initial $1 million into the partnership with Montréal's AI institute. 120
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 10/03/2026Canada needs data centres and its own cloud for AI sovereignty, report says - The Logic thelogic.co/briefing/can...thelogic.coCanada needs data centres and its own cloud for AI sovereignty, report says - The Logic 010
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 10/03/2026Very proud to launch Sovereign by Design, a new report I co-authored with Jaxson Khan at U of T's Munk School. At ~80 pages, it's the most comprehensive treatment of AI sovereignty in Canada to date. Read it at aicompetitiveness.ca 010
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 10/02/2026🚨 This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in building new capacity to help Canada solve our challenges related to economic growth. Help build a new Growth Lab in partnership with the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill and the Harvard Growth Lab. www.mcgill.ca/maxbellschoo...mcgill.caDirector of McGill Growth Lab and Assistant or Associate ProfessorThe Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University invites applications for the position of Director of the McGill Growth Lab and Assistant or Associate Professor. This is a leadership position... 130
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 10/02/2026Carney says he explained to Trump that Canada paid for the bridge, that the ownership is shared between the government of Michigan and the government of Canada and that steel from both countries was used in its construction. nationalnewswatch.com/2026/02/10/c...nationalnewswatch.comCarney spoke to Trump about dispute over Gordie Howe bridgeNational Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views. 010
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 28/11/2025Billionaires, tech titans and their opponents are amassing multimillion-dollar war chests for a chaotic, bruising battle over AI regulation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections www.wsj.com/tech/ai/tech...wsj.comTech Titans Amass Multimillion-Dollar War Chests to Fight AI RegulationSome are battling state AI laws and threatening to punish candidates who oppose rapid deployment of the technology. 010
Reposted by Sean MullinBen Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 08/11/2025theonion.com/fact-checkin... 145150281801
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 22/10/2025A flurry of circular deals in the AI sector have uncomfortable similarities to the dot-com bubble era. 🤔 www.wsj.com/tech/ai/is-t...wsj.comIs the Flurry of Circular AI Deals a Win-Win—or Sign of a Bubble?How round-trip deals could echo history and hit a wall. 031
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 17/10/2025George Soros has the opportunity to do the funniest thing.... :) www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...nytimes.comU.S. Stakes Taxpayer Money on Big Argentina Bet 010
Reposted by Sean MullinMatthew Yglesias @mattyglesias.bsky.social · 16/10/2025Everything is computer www.slowboring.com/p/the-ai-boo... 5669
Reposted by Sean MullinJoey Politano🏳️🌈 @josephpolitano.bsky.social · 10/10/2025NEW CANADIAN JOBS DATA: Employment Growth: +60k Unemployment Rate: 7.1% (+0%) Prime Age (25-54) Employment Rate: 83.3% (+0.6%) Employment Level: 21.0M 816129
Reposted by Sean MullinJoey Politano🏳️🌈 @josephpolitano.bsky.social · 05/10/2025NEW from me: In his 2nd term, Trump has pursued the largest trade war in modern US history—with 1 glaring omission. Computer imports are almost entirely exempt from tariffs It's a special carveout that AI companies are now reliant on for their data center buildout🧵 www.apricitas.io/p/the-tariff...apricitas.ioThe Tariff Exemption Behind the AI BoomData Centers get Tariff-Free Imports. Why Shouldn't we All? 8414124
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 22/09/2025Join me at Canada 2020 Conference in Ottawa tomorrow, where I'll be speaking on the "Economics of the AI Boom" 010
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 10/09/2025Heading to Halifax this week for the 2025 IPAC Conference (Sept 11–12)! Excited to join the panel “Reframing Social Spending: Investing in Canada’s Future” with Karen Myers, Tracey Barbrick & Aaron Stauch. Looking forward to the discussions & new connections! 👉 www.ipac.ca/en/ac2025ipac.ca2025 National Public Service Symposium / Symposium national sur la fonction publique 2025 000
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 02/09/2025For new director of Mila, scientific discovery is the primary mission /via @globeandmail www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...theglobeandmail.comFor new director of Mila, scientific discovery is the primary missionHugo Larochelle begins appointment to succeed Yoshua Bengio at non-profit AI institute 000
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 26/08/2025Latest PBO analysis shows that after accounting for 2024 immigration policy changes, the size of Canada’s “housing gap” is much smaller than comparable studies by CMHC and others. Housing completions need to increase by 69,000 / year: a much more attainable target. www.pbo-dpb.ca/en/publicati...pbo-dpb.caHousehold Formation and the Housing Stock: Estimating the Housing Gap in 2035 000
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 26/08/2025Artificial intelligence is profoundly limiting some young Americans’ employment prospects, new research shows 000
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 25/08/2025www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...theglobeandmail.comThe economic promise – and peril – of higher defence spendingEconomists expect higher defence spending will give the economy a short-term boost. The long-term effect is another question 000
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 22/08/2025www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...pm.gc.caStatement by the Prime Minister on CAN-U.S. tradeThese negotiations have been taking place as the United States has been fundamentally transforming all its trading relationships. 000
Reposted by Sean MullinKeldon Bester @keldonb.bsky.social · 26/06/2025For @techpolicypress.bsky.social this week I wrote about how Canada's tech accountability efforts should be squarely focused on protecting Canadian sovereignty in an unstable geopolitical environment. www.techpolicy.press/a-tech-antim...techpolicy.pressA Tech Anti-Monopoly and Accountability Agenda for Canada | TechPolicy.PressAmid a shifting relationship with the US and new geopolitical realities, Keldon Bester urges Canada to rethink its tech policy to defend national sovereignty. 066
Reposted by Sean MullinLes Perreaux @perreaux.bsky.social · 21/08/2025Inu Manak & Victoria Fenton: Why no trade deal with Trump might be good for Canada policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/au... @inumanak.bsky.social @policyoptions.irpp.orgpolicyoptions.irpp.orgCanada holds firm in Trump’s tariff war after no-deal outcomeTrump’s tariffs hit Canada hardest. Ottawa must hold firm, diversify trade, and resist caving to U.S. demands. 11110
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 14/08/2025Canada’s prohibition on U.S. alcohol is creating a headache for American liquor and winemakers www.wsj.com/business/us-...wsj.comThe U.S. Alcohol Industry Is Reeling From Canada’s Booze BoycottThe trade fight is prompting a pullback in purchases by the biggest export market for U.S.-made wines, costing American brands tens of millions in sales. 131
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 12/08/2025Fascinating. Unlikely to happen, but this is nonetheless a big swing for Perplexity. www.wsj.com/tech/perplex...wsj.comExclusive | Perplexity Makes Longshot $34.5 Billion Offer for ChromeIn mounting an unsolicited bid for Google’s browser, the AI startup seeks to take advantage of uncertainty over a pending antitrust ruling. 000
Reposted by Sean MullinThe Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 03/08/2025theglobeandmail.comTech jobs were supposed to be the safe career route. What changed?Many companies said they expanded too quickly since the pandemic or struggled to adapt to higher interest rates, leading to scores of layoffs 5112
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 23/07/2025Details not yet released, but looks like Japan has agreed to a 15% baseline tariff rate… www.wsj.com/economy/trad...wsj.comU.S. and Japan Reach Trade DealPresident Trump says Tokyo will face 15% reciprocal tariffs instead of the 25% he had threatened while the nation invests $550 billion into the U.S. 000
Reposted by Sean MullinMatt Clancy @mattsclancy.bsky.social · 09/07/2025The Abundance and Growth Fund at Open Philanthropy is hiring! We’re looking for 2-4 people to help expand this new $120+ million program to accelerate economic growth and reduce the cost of living through strategic grantmaking and research. (1/4) www.openphilanthropy.org/research/ann...openphilanthropy.orgAnnouncing Our New $120M Abundance And Growth Fund | Open PhilanthropyWe are excited to announce the launch of our new Abundance and Growth Fund, which will spend at least $120 million over the next three years to accelerate economic growth and boost scientific and tech... 3249
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 28/06/2025Great article by @aradwanski.bsky.social that is ostensibly about Michael Sabia, but is really about the case for broader public sector reform. We need a serious effort to renew our state capacity if we truly want to get things done in Canada. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...theglobeandmail.comHow Michael Sabia can make Ottawa move fast and build thingsCanada’s top bureaucrat is expected to light a fire under a federal public service accustomed to moving more slowly than the moment demands 020
Reposted by Sean MullinStephanie Carvin @stephaniecarvin.bsky.social · 27/06/2025Over the last free months Canada has upped its border security, agreed to participate in the Golden Dome, and spend 5% of GDP on defence and it basically all means nothing. No agreement will be stable or secure, even if we can eventually reach one. The new normal in Canada-US relations. 26379133
Reposted by Sean MullinJoey Politano🏳️🌈 @josephpolitano.bsky.social · 29/05/2025The court ruling against many of Trump's tariffs today would lower US overall tariff rates by roughly 10%, only leaving the tariffs on cars, steel, & aluminum If it holds (a very big if) tariffs would drop to the lowest rate since March & importers would get retroactive relief 20641122
Reposted by Sean MullinThe Globe and Mail @theglobeandmail.com · 22/05/2025theglobeandmail.comAtkinsRéalis moves to secure heavy water supplier in ArgentinaThe Canadian company is seeking to build new Candu nuclear power reactors, which depend on heavy water 421
Reposted by Sean MullinKevin Milligan @kevinmilligan.bsky.social · 21/05/2025A US deficit of $2.3 trillion is about 7.5% of expected US GDP in 2026. Canada is in the range of 2% defict/GDP. Their 10 year bond is about 4.5%; ours is about 3.5%. 23416
Reposted by Sean MullinPhil Smith @philsmith26.bsky.social · 17/05/2025If you are interested in Canadian employment statistics, I have a new piece on Substack (free) comparing LFS and SEPH here: philip635.substack.com/p/comparing-...philip635.substack.comComparing Canada's two employment surveysIntroduction 0115
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 17/05/2025US loses its AAA credit rating… www.wsj.com/economy/cent...wsj.comU.S. Loses Last Triple-A Credit RatingMoody’s Ratings downgraded the U.S. government, citing large fiscal deficits and rising interest costs. 011
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 12/05/2025Fascinating piece from Yoshua Bengio on an alternate (and safer) path for developing “superhuman” AI. time.com/7283507/safe...time.comA Potential Path to Safer AI DevelopmentYoshua Bengio warns that the current approach to developing AI models carries potentially catastrophic risks. 000
Reposted by Sean MullinJustin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 09/05/2025"These aren't deals. Britain didn't get a deal... Every country is getting a 10% tariff, and if you wanna turn up for a photo opportunity, you're allowed to get an asterisk next to that 10%." 10356101
Reposted by Sean MullinJustin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 09/05/2025It's a "deal," not a deal: "This document serves to define the general terms for the EPD that set forth the shared desires of the US and the UK... Both the US and the UK recognize that this document does not constitute a legally binding agreement." ustr.gov/sites/defaul... 52849267
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 09/05/2025A very good overview from the WSJ on the implications of the UK-US trade deal for the rest of the world: - Trump very eager to make a deal to show progress - Little precedent value for other countries - No commitment from UK to "isolate China" 👇 100
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 09/05/2025U.S. “exceptionalism” under Trump: Imagine having a research institution with the size and scale of Harvard and the government decides to wage an all-out war to cripple it? www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/u...nytimes.comHarvard Leaders See Only Bad Outcomes Ahead as They Battle Trump 020
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 08/05/2025TD Economics - U.S. Cuts Its First Trade Deal With UK – More Symbolic than Economic economics.td.com/us-uk-trade-... via @TD_Economicseconomics.td.comU.S. Cuts Its First Trade Deal With UK – More Symbolic than EconomicU.S. Cuts Its First Trade Deal With UK – More Symbolic than Economic 010
Reposted by Sean MullinJoey Politano🏳️🌈 @josephpolitano.bsky.social · 03/05/2025Good morning. It is now 12:01 AM, which means a 25% tariff on all $114B in non-USCMA-compliant auto part imports has now gone into effect, alongside a hideously complex system allowing carmakers to rebate tariffs on 15% of the content in a US-made car this year & 10% next year 281032245
Sean Mullin @mullinsean.bsky.social · 28/04/2025Today is election day! 🇨🇦 If you live in Taiaiako'n—Parkdale—High Park, I strongly recommend voting for my friend and colleague, Karim Bardeesy, who will be a fantastic MP and is the type of person we need up in Ottawa right now. But, most importantly, please vote! Democracy matters! 000