Ottawa is designing a new artificial intelligence (AI) strategy for federal government operations, Treasury Board President Anita Anand said Monday.
During a meeting of experts in Gatineau, Minister Anand spoke of a big step towards a coherent federal approach to AI. The objective is to make government operations more efficient and improve services to Canadians, while enhancing scientific and research capacity.
Anand said the question is how to increase efficiency while also simplifying the interactions of Canadians, organizations and businesses with federal services.
She pointed out that AI could be used to automate routine tasks, but said generative AI “generally won’t be used” when it comes to confidential processes like those involving cabinet confidence documents.
The strategy is not aimed at reducing the number of jobs in the federal public service, she also maintained.
The initiative will include the creation of a specific division to train serving civil servants. Ms Anand added that the government would also work to recruit qualified people in high-level technology sectors “rapidly and competitively”.
In addition to Monday’s expert meeting, the government will conduct broad consultations in the coming months before unveiling the strategy. There is no deadline for producing the strategy.
The federal government has already begun integrating AI into its operations, using the technology in hundreds of different ways.
As Canada’s largest employer, the federal government sets an example for private sector employers, Anand said.
She said there is a need to strike a balance when it comes to using AI responsibly, which includes ensuring that privacy laws are respected and that the AI is not used for “discriminatory or unsavory” purposes.
Eight more organizations sign up to the AI code
In addition, eight other organizations have signed up to the federal government’s voluntary code of conduct on artificial intelligence.
These organizations include computer maker Lenovo, software company Salesforce, credit card company Mastercard and business systems company Kyndryl.
Canadian signatories include Toronto tech hub MaRS Discovery District, virtual tutor operator Alloprof, consulting firm Levio and the Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtageimmobilier du Québec (OACIQ).
Adopters of the code launched last year must agree to take several steps aimed at reducing AI risks, including monitoring data sets for potential bias and monitoring systems for potential harm.
While big names in AI like Cohere, the Vector Institute and Mila – Quebec Institute of Artificial Intelligence – have already accepted the code alongside tech companies like BlackBerry, IBM and Telus, others have criticized the Guidelines.
Shopify founder and CEO Tobi Lütke said he would not support the code because he says the country no longer needs “referees” and should instead encourage people to create businesses in Canada.