Cohere says it is investing over $4 billion in R&D and AI infrastructure through 2031, creating over 1,500 jobs, 1,000 of which will focus on “AI research, engineering, product development and other advanced technical disciplines.” The announcement follows the Government of Canada’s $1.6 billion investment in the Toronto-based AI company, part of Cohere’s wider $7 billion fundraising round. Altogether, this will put Cohere’s valuation at about $36 billion, which the government says makes it the largest AI company outside of the U.S. and China. In a statement last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney said these Cohere investments will help produce “affordable, secure, sovereign AI, built in Canada for the benefit of Canadians.” The Cohere investment is believed to be the largest-ever federal equity investment in a single private tech company, though questions remain surrounding the terms of the deal, including what degree of control the feds have over Cohere. There is also apprehension regarding AI companies in general, including a lack of regulation and the energy, water, and land costs of data centres.