The Canadian federal government is launching the National AI Literacy Initiative to educate Canadians on artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative aims to provide free online courses for post-secondary students, kindergarten to Grade 12 educators, and the general public. Minister of Artificial Intelligence Evan Solomon announced the initiative in Edmonton, emphasizing the importance of education during times of change and innovation.
The government will invest in students, teachers, and the overall education system as part of its AI strategy. Solomon highlighted the focus on developing technology to benefit people and ensuring that AI serves humanity. The initiative, in collaboration with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII), will offer three free courses funded by $13 million from the government.
Participants can work through course modules at their own pace, with each course designed to take approximately three hours to complete. The courses are self-paced and do not require an instructor. Two courses targeting educators and post-secondary students will be available to educational institutions starting on September 21. The course for the general public will launch later in the year.
The courses aim to equip Canadians with the confidence to utilize AI effectively, the critical thinking skills to question its applications, and the knowledge to make informed decisions about AI in their lives. The program for educators will offer practical training and resources, with additional chapters to be released progressively. The course for post-secondary students focuses on understanding and using AI responsibly while building essential AI knowledge and workplace skills.
The third course, Essentials for Canadians, will be accessible through Employment and Social Development Canada’s Job Bank and community partners. Solomon emphasized that Canada’s role in the development of modern AI necessitates ensuring that Canadians are knowledgeable and empowered to influence the future of AI technologies.