Quebec Premier François Legault said his government is open to changes following criticism from renowned AI researcher Yoshua Bengio, who said they could hamstring Quebec’s booming AI sector. (CBC Radio-Canada)

Talking point: Last week, Legault’s government restricted access to a program that allows some students and temporary workers to fast-track their applications for a “Quebec Selection Certificate,” a necessary step toward earning permanent resident status in the province. Bengio, founder of the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms (MILA), said the changes would starve the province of AI talent. Legault, who has trumpeted Quebec’s leadership in the sector, then said he was open to reconsidering.