Jon Cornish didn’t waste time warming up the crowd at YYC DataCon 2025.
“Big data is like sex in high school,” he said. “Everyone talks about it, but nobody really knows what it is.”
The room at Platform Calgary erupted in laughter, but Cornish — a Canadian football Hall of Famer, University of Calgary chancellor, and community leader — was making a serious point. While artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies dominate global conversations, true understanding and application separate leading cities from the rest.
“Calgary doesn’t just theorize about AI,” Cornish continued. “We put it to work solving real problems.”
That sentiment set the tone for the opening session of the event, where Cornish, Harish Consul, and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek took the stage to discuss the city’s transformation into a technology hub.
Calgary is earning its place on the global stage
For years, Calgary’s economic story has been framed around the need to diversify beyond oil and gas. That conversation has moved forward. As Consul pointed out, the city isn’t just shifting industries — it’s establishing itself as a serious contender in global technology and innovation.
“Diversification is happening,” Consul said. “The shift isn’t just about adapting, it’s about leading.”
Beyond the growing number of AI-driven startups and record-breaking venture capital investments, Consul noted that Calgary is earning international recognition.
“In the last six months, I’ve been to Dubai, London, New Delhi, and Silicon Valley. Everywhere I go, people know Calgary,” he said. He added that people no longer ask where Calgary is, but instead ask what’s happening in the city now.
He also emphasized that the city’s competitive advantage isn’t just about new industries replacing old ones. It’s about a shift in mindset.
And companies in Calgary are not just reacting to global trends, they are shaping them.
Calgary’s growth will be defined by three principles
Cornish expanded on this idea, outlining three key principles that will determine the city’s success in AI and data science:
- Applied innovation over academic theory – Calgary has always been a place that values execution over abstract ideas. While some cities focus on AI research, Calgary is focused on implementation, solving real problems in energy, healthcare, and finance today.
- Collaboration as a competitive advantage – Unlike other tech hubs that operate in silos, Calgary thrives on connection and making introductions to people who can help. That openness accelerates innovation and attracts people who value collaboration.
- Inclusive talent development is non-negotiable – The biggest challenge for Calgary’s tech sector isn’t demand, it’s supply. “We created 21,000 more tech jobs [than we have tech graduates for] in the last five years,” Cornish said. The city’s ability to maintain its momentum will depend on training, attracting, and retaining a diverse talent base. “Diverse teams make better decisions,” Cornish added. “And this isn’t just a moral imperative — it’s a competitive advantage.”
Cornish reinforced his points with a mix of hard facts and humour. He highlighted the rapid growth of Calgary’s AI sector, the rising salaries for software developers, and the increasing number of global tech firms setting up in the city.
He also spoke about the urgency of AI adoption, sharing insights from his role at RBC and the ongoing push to integrate AI into financial services.
Diversity is a competitive advantage
Mayor Jyoti Gondek took the stage with a direct message for businesses considering Calgary.
“You want to locate here because we will take care of your business, your team, and you,” she said.
Calgary’s emergence as a tech hub isn’t an accident. It was the result of sustained effort from civic leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, business communities, and grassroots innovators who built the foundation for today’s success. But just as important as infrastructure and investment, Gondek said, is ensuring that Calgary’s tech sector remains open to everyone.
“Many of the founders in this city are women, people of colour, people with disabilities, and Indigenous people,” she said. “And in a world where some say diversity, equity, and inclusion don’t matter, we know that’s not true. Those words drove the success of this sector.”
For Gondek, the conversation about AI and data isn’t just about economic impact. It’s about the people behind the technology and the people it serves.
“The biggest thing to take away from events like this is that tech, data, and AI are about people,” she said. “It’s the stories you tell about the people that help us connect.”
The world is watching Calgary’s momentum
YYC DataCon 2025 opened with a blunt look at the present and a vision for the future. Calgary is no longer a city talking about its potential in tech — it’s proving it.
Consul highlighted how Calgary’s reputation is expanding internationally, Cornish laid out the guiding principles for success, and Gondek reinforced the importance of diversity and community in sustaining growth. The message from all three speakers was clear: Calgary isn’t waiting for validation. It’s already leading.
But there’s still work to do.
The city’s rapid growth in AI and data has created challenges, from talent shortages to the need for continued investment in training and education. Calgary’s business and academic leaders will need to double down on initiatives that bridge the gap between industry demand and workforce supply. And while venture capital interest in Calgary is rising, continued advocacy will be needed to secure the funding that fuels the next wave of innovation.
Still, one thing was clear from the opening session: Calgary’s tech sector has moved beyond playing catch-up with other cities — it’s about setting the pace.
As Cornish put it, “The question is no longer whether Calgary can build a thriving tech sector. It’s how far we can go.”
Digital Journal is the official media partner of YYC DataCon 2025.
This article was created with the assistance of AI. Learn more about our AI ethics policy here.
