Listen to the full conversation on the Perspectives Journal podcast, available to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all other major podcast platforms.
The global economy is overly dependent on U.S. tech giants for digital infrastructure, data, and artificial intelligence. U.S. laws and corporate dominance threaten external control over digital systems, putting sovereignty, privacy, and democracy at risk.
Meanwhile, AI as a tool for the profit of Big Tech companies is threatening jobs, undermining public education, healthcare, and public services, and eroding public trust.
But Canada can’t simply avoid technological development and be left behind, dominated by these powers. How should a progressive government approach building digital sovereignty and democratic AI?
Aisén Amelia Etcheverry Escudero, recently Chile’s Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation under the Broad Front Party government of President Gabriel Boric, spoke to editor Clement Nocos on the Perspectives Journal Podcast to share her perspective on progressive digital governance and what nation-building for digital sovereignty can look like.
This conversation was recorded on July 8, 2026 as a part of a 2026 Panamerican Congress workshop held in Toronto on AI, Digital Sovereignty and Democracy.
In case you missed it: you can now watch the full panel discussion we held on July 9th with former Chilean Innovation Minister Aisén Etcheverry, NDP Leader Avi Lewis, Costa Rican Deputy Sigrid Segura, and Centre for International Policy (US) President Nancy Okail on taking on Big Tech across borders, controlling AI, and defending digital sovereignty.
