The BetaKit Podcast Channel

"If your entire technology is coming from a single country, and that country decides that every now and again they're going to shut off access to you, that's not a foundation you can build on."
The US government just ordered Anthropic to ban access to its most advanced AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5. Seems like now is a good time to talk about sovereign AI.
Cohere co-founder Nick Frosst joins to discuss how Canada's AI champion is built different than the other frontier LLM providers, how Star Trek informs the type of AI future the company is trying to create, and why he doesn't make a point of listening to Marc Andreessen about AGI.
Did the Anthropic model ban prove Cohere is right about sovereign AI? Let's dig in.
--
Amid global uncertainty, the path forward is clear: Canada's moment to build is now.
Presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada, BetaKit Most Ambitious is back, telling stories of nearly 100 Canadian innovators strengthening our nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity.
Read BetaKit Most Ambitious now.

"You guys have done what you've done with the wind in your face. Imagine if you had the wind at your back. Wow."
Couldn't attend BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall? Don't worry. Enjoy Waabi CEO Raquel Urtasun explaining how the future of transportation will be driven by physical AI before sitting down to discuss Canada's AI ecosystem with University of Toronto president Melanie Woodin. Then we have former RIM co-CEO and CCI chair Jim Balsillie talking about the need for economic statecraft to drive Canadian prosperity before sitting down with BetaKit editor-in-chief Douglas Soltys to discuss the strategies entrepreneurs should consider to get the wind at their back.
--
Amid global uncertainty, the path forward is clear: Canada's moment to build is now.
Presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada, BetaKit Most Ambitious is back, telling stories of nearly 100 Canadian innovators strengthening our nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity.
Read BetaKit Most Ambitious now.

"Everywhere I go, BetaKit is there. They grill me. Every time I say something, I say 'I wish I didn't say that' because BetaKit recorded it."
Couldn't attend BetaKit Most Ambitious: Town Hall? Don't worry. Enjoy our Vantage Points panel on Canadian defence and dual-use tech, featuring leaders from Dominion Dynamics, Sentinel R&D, and Xanadu, followed by a fireside chat with AI Minister Evan Solomon.
--
Amid global uncertainty, the path forward is clear: Canada's moment to build is now.
Presented by Uber Canada, DMZ, and National Bank of Canada, BetaKit Most Ambitious is back, telling stories of nearly 100 Canadian innovators strengthening our nation's autonomy, security, and prosperity.
Read BetaKit Most Ambitious now.

"You could start your day paddleboarding on Lake Ontario, then you could go to a workout class, then you could go to a session on what VCs want to hear."
Last year, a decentralized community experiment led to 15,000 people attending over 300 events in the middle of June.
With nearly 600 events welcoming people from around the world set to begin Monday, this year's Toronto Tech Week promises to be much bigger and bolder.
Co-directors Julia Konefal and Mell Truong join The BetaKit Podcast to ensure you are eventmaxxing all week long in Toronto.
--
Clio is proud to present the BetaKit Guide: Toronto Tech Week 2026. This guide is your ultimate shortcut to navigating all 600 events, from panels, mixers, and competitions, taking place across the city from May 25th to 29th. Read the full guide here.

"I know people with amazing ideas, but they don't have the right investment to take their idea to the prototype stage. At the prototype stage, they don't have the ability to take it to the manufacturing stage. So guess what happens? Another company from outside the country comes and snatches 'em up. It was heartbreaking to see that our amazing talent is being sucked away."
After decades in public service roles, former Minister of Defence Harjit Sajjan is reporting for duty once again as a defence-tech entrepreneur with Vancouver-based Juno Industries. Sajjan joins this week to offer a SITREP for Canada, including his thoughts on the Defence Industrial Strategy and Juno's plans to become an innovation hub for defence in Canada.
--
The BetaKit Podcast is presented by Zoho, developers of a unique and powerful software suite that transforms the way you work.
Zoho's flagship user conference, Zoholics Toronto 2026, is coming May 21-22 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre! Join hundreds of business leaders, customers, and Zoho experts for two days of learning, inspiration, and connection. Explore the latest in AI, automation, and cloud-powered collaboration—and see how Zoho's all-in-one suite helps organizations work smarter and grow faster.
Go here to learn more and secure your spot.
--
Solve for X is back! The latest season of the MaRS podcast is exploring more world-changing ideas. Join journalist Manjula Selvarajah as she talks to the people behind the latest innovations in tech and science.
Get a jump on the future. Listen to season 4 of Solve for X wherever you get your podcasts.