OpenAI is signalling interest in Canada as a potential location for data centre development, although the company has not announced a project or investment decision.
Speaking at Montréal’s ALL IN conference, OpenAI managing director George Osborne cited the country’s energy resources, political stability and investment climate as reasons to consider building infrastructure here, BetaKit reported.
“We haven’t made any decisions, but Canada would be an obvious place to look,” Osborne said.
Osborne, who leads OpenAI for Countries, emphasized the importance of predictable conditions when selecting locations for expensive, long-term infrastructure projects. He also praised Canada’s efforts to attract international investment and encourage AI adoption.
His comments indicate interest rather than a confirmed Canadian expansion. No site, capacity, construction schedule or investment amount was disclosed in the report.
OpenAI is already among the original signatories to Canada’s Responsible Data Centre Development Principles, which address electricity costs, environmental impacts, community transparency and domestic benefits.
The company’s interest comes as Canadian infrastructure ambitions grow. Bell recently announced plans to expand its proposed Saskatchewan AI data centre development to as much as 1.2 gigawatts.
For Canadian developers and utilities, Osborne’s remarks put another prospective customer into the conversation. Turning that interest into a project would require specific commitments on location, electricity supply and delivery timelines.