Bell and Cohere partner to deliver Canadian-made AI for business and government

Bell Canada and Cohere Forge Partnership to Offer Canadian‑Sovereign AI Solutions
Bell Canada has announced a strategic collaboration with Cohere, a Toronto‑based enterprise AI company, aimed at addressing Canada’s growing demand for secure AI tools that keep sensitive data within national borders.
Key Elements of the Deal
- Bell AI Fabric Integration – Cohere’s enterprise‑grade models, including its agentic AI platform North, are being incorporated into Bell’s AI Fabric, the infrastructure and services stack designed to help organizations adopt AI securely and at scale.
- Preferred Infrastructure Partnership – Bell will become Cohere’s preferred infrastructure partner in Canada, providing the backbone required for deploying AI solutions country‑wide.
- Dedicated AI Agent and LLM Platform – Conversely, Cohere will become Bell’s go‑to provider for AI agents and large language models, ensuring that Canadian businesses and governments have access to cutting‑edge capabilities.
President and CEO Comment
Mirko Bibic, President and CEO of Bell Canada, says:
“At a critical time for Canada, we’re proud to partner with Cohere to create a sovereign, full‑stack AI solution, custom‑built to support Canadian government and business.”
“Working together, we will both transform Canadian businesses through cutting‑edge AI capabilities, while ensuring that the data remains secure and within Canada.”
Implications for Canadian Governments and Businesses
This partnership is expected to:
- Provide secure, sovereign AI tools for sensitive industry data.
- Enable large language model and AI agent adoption at scale.
- Fortify Canada’s position as a leader in AI compliance and data sovereignty.
A secure alternative for regulated sectors
Bell‑Cohere Alliance Sets New Standard for Canadian AI
Leading Canadian CIOs and public sector executives face a dilemma: the transformative promise of AI clashes with strict data residency rules, security mandates, and compliance frameworks that often exclude consumer‑grade tools. Bell Canada and Cohere have answered that call with a bold partnership aimed at sovereign, security‑first artificial intelligence.
Bell AI Fabric: Four Interlocking Pillars
- Hardware Infrastructure – AI‑optimised data centres linked to Canada’s largest fibre network.
- Software Layer – Cohere’s fine‑tuned large language models and machine learning platforms.
- Advisory & Professional Services – Ateko, Bell’s enterprise tech services brand, leads the consulting arm.
- Applications – Cohere’s North platform enables the building and deployment of AI agents.
Strategic Vision from Cohere’s Leadership
“Our partnership with Bell Canada will furnish the Canadian government and enterprises with world‑class options for sovereign, security‑first AI,” states Aidan Gomez, co‑founder and CEO of Cohere. “This partnership has the potential to be truly transformative for organizations that seek massive gains in productivity and efficiency without compromising data security and privacy.”
Bell’s Internal Deployment of North
Bell is actively rolling out the North platform internally, training AI agents on its own data to refine workflows. This hands‑on experience will shape how Ateko will support external clients.
Government Endorsement and Future Outlook
“These companies exemplify the spirit of Canadian ingenuity and are solidifying Canada’s sovereign AI capabilities,” says Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation. “This partnership will help strengthen our position on the global stage and pave the way for a brighter, more advanced future for the Canadian economy.”
What this means for Canadian AI buyers
The Bell‑Cohere Partnership: A Canadian‑Sovereign AI Solution
Bell’s new collaboration with Cohere offers Canadian businesses a unique mix of technology, infrastructure, and professional support, all developed and hosted in Canada.
Key Advantages for Data‑Sensitive Companies
- Data Sovereignty – All models and data remain on Canadian soil.
- Local Ownership – Bell’s own data handling tools are built in Canada.
- Enterprise Support – Bell provides managed services and hands‑on expertise.
What Bell Means for AI Teams
Bell’s managed services enable teams to experiment with AI without the hassle of creating or maintaining their own infrastructure. The partnership removes the need to compromise between scalability and data sovereignty.
A More Aligned Choice for Canadian Businesses
With most AI stacks still anchored in U.S. platforms, the Bell‑Cohere alliance presents a local alternative that balances large‑scale capabilities with Canadian legal and data requirements.
Final shots
Bell‑Cohere Alliance Paves Secure AI Road for Canadian Firms
Canadian businesses in regulated or risk‑sensitive sectors are gaining an AI advantage through the Bell‑Cohere partnership.
Internal Testing Delivers Practical Experience
- Bell is experimenting with the tools in real‑world scenarios, providing hands‑on know‑how.
- These trials equip Bell to back clients in adopting AI solutions.
Secure, Compliant AI Demand Could Crown Sovereign Infrastructure
As clients seek AI that meets strict security and compliance standards, Canada’s own infrastructure may become the decisive competitive edge.