Bell and Queen’s University plan sovereign AI supercomputing facility for Canada
Bell and Queen’s University have signed an agreement to plan and build a Canadian-owned AI supercomputing facility, reflecting growing focus on domestic compute capacity, data control, and national AI infrastructure.
Bell Canada and Queen’s University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to plan and operate a next-generation AI supercomputing facility in Canada. The partnership signals a broader shift toward sovereign AI infrastructure as governments, universities, and industry seek to secure domestic compute capacity and reduce reliance on foreign-controlled systems.
Focus on sovereign compute and domestic AI capacity
The proposed facility is positioned as a Canadian-owned and governed supercomputing platform intended to support academic research while enabling businesses and government organizations to develop and deploy AI applications at scale. Bell and Queen’s say the project aims to strengthen Canada’s digital sovereignty by keeping sensitive data and intellectual property under national oversight.
Bell will lead the design, construction, financing, and long-term maintenance of the facility, which will operate on the company’s high-speed fiber network. Queen’s will oversee development of the supercomputer itself, including system architecture, chip procurement, advanced technology programs, and operations, drawing on expertise from its Centre for Advanced Computing.
The announcement was shared publicly by Bell president and CEO Mirko Bibic on LinkedIn, where he wrote, “Bell and Queen's University are joining forces to plan and build Canada’s next-generation sovereign AI supercomputing facility. This partnership will accelerate Canada’s AI ecosystem, boost domestic adoption of AI tools and strengthen digital sovereignty.”
Research leadership and system design
Queen’s researchers will lead work on system architecture and advanced computing programs, with sustainability also forming part of the facility’s design, including the use of heat recapture. The university has previously contributed to the development and operation of large-scale supercomputing systems and AI research infrastructure.
Dan Rink, president at Bell AI Fabric, says, “Our collaboration with Queen's University is a key step in building a strong, independent AI ecosystem right here in Canada. This facility will empower our country's top talent to turn breakthrough research into real-world solutions and economic growth. By giving our innovators more resources, we are building a more competitive and resilient future for Canadian technology.”
Nancy Ross, vice-principal (research) at Queen’s University, adds, “Queen's University is proud to partner with Bell on this transformative project. Our researchers are global leaders in supercomputing, having contributed to the development of seven of the world's top ten systems. Our researchers are also at the forefront of innovation in green supercomputing to help move the field toward more sustainable operations. This new facility will serve as a national testbed for Canadian technology and significantly strengthen our capacity to advance AI innovation, support research and discovery, attract top talent, and ensure that critical AI development remains in Canada.”
The planned facility is framed as an additional pillar in Canada’s AI ecosystem, supporting the transition from research to real-world deployment. The announcement follows recent public investment aimed at expanding national research capacity and attracting global AI talent, with universities and industry partners increasingly working together to address compute constraints.
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