The federal government has introduced the foundational elements of its upcoming AI strategy, which were notably absent from the latest economic update. The strategy is anticipated to outline Ottawa’s objectives for advancing the technology. Emphasizing the importance of safe and sovereign AI, the government aims to drive adoption, create economic opportunities, enhance public services, and elevate quality of life for Canadians.
Outlined in six pillars, the strategy focuses on protecting Canadians and democracy, empowering citizens, facilitating AI adoption for mutual prosperity, establishing a Canadian AI foundation, supporting Canadian industry leaders, and fostering global partnerships. Although specifics are limited, the pillars aim to provide AI education for all Canadians and enhance privacy laws, national AI safety measures, and secure government systems.
Furthermore, Canada plans to collaborate with trusted partners to align standards, promote innovation, facilitate market access for Canadian firms, and cultivate an AI ecosystem rooted in democratic principles. The exact release date of the strategy remains uncertain, despite previous government indications. AI Minister Evan Solomon has indicated that the refreshed national AI strategy is set for launch in the current quarter.
In parallel, the government has initiated efforts to develop Canada’s sovereign AI supercomputing infrastructure. This infrastructure is designed to advance AI research and innovation while safeguarding national interests. Solomon has engaged with Finnish and Norwegian officials to explore collaborations on expanding AI computing capacity and environmentally sustainable digital infrastructure.
The discussion on AI safety has gained momentum following the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. Minister Solomon met with OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, to discuss enhancing safety measures. Steps are being taken to incorporate Canadian expertise in mental health and law within OpenAI’s safety office and to assess the company’s safety protocols. The incident has prompted calls for platforms to report threats promptly to law enforcement agencies.
Provinces are also taking steps to regulate AI usage. Manitoba recently announced plans to ban youth from using AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude, citing the need for stronger protections against online harms. British Columbia supports these initiatives but underscores the necessity of federal leadership for comprehensive safety standards. Heritage Minister Marc Miller has expressed serious consideration of age restrictions on social media and AI access for young Canadians.