A report resulting from the largest consultation exercise on artificial intelligence in Quebec calls on the provincial government to begin “without delay” work on a new framework law intended to govern the responsible development and deployment of AI in the Company.
This is the finding of the 142-page report entitled AI ready made public Monday morning by Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy, Éric Caire, Minister of Digital, and Luc Sirois, Chief Innovator of Quebec and Director General of the Innovation Council.
“It is imperative to have artificial intelligence, but supervised, aligned with our needs, with trustworthy governance,” said Mr. Fitzgibbon. Quebec is one of the world leaders in artificial intelligence. We want a framework, but a framework that does not slow down innovation or the creation of socio-economic wealth. »
Some 250 experts and members of civil society participated in the work leading to the drafting of the report on AI, which recommends entrusting the development of regulations linked to the implementation of a framework law to “an independent authority of the executive power”, so as to ensure its independence.
In interview with The Press on the sidelines of the presentation, Luc Sirois notes that he was surprised by the quality of the exchanges and reactions in the work, particularly with the unions. ” It’s amazing. In assemblies in front of workers, I expected emotional expressions about the threats of AI. But the workers had very nuanced thoughts. They were further than that. »
Principle of transparency
One of the main themes identified by the report is the importance of the “principle of transparency” in AI. “If citizens interact with AI, they want to know,” says Mr. Sirois. When we contact customer service, a message tells us that the exchanges can be recorded. So, it could be a warning of this nature, with the choice to speak to a human if desired. »
Luc Sirois notes that the framework law must also take into account the impact of AI on the world of culture. “We know that many artists, many creators, earn their living with all kinds of contract jobs. They do illustration, translation, writing… So, if AI can do it, we end up with artists who no longer have the income to allow them to produce their unique works which mark society . The business model is changing, and that is having repercussions that we had not anticipated. We must put programs in place to protect our artists. If we don’t do anything, it will be threatened. »
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Luc Sirois, Quebec’s Chief Innovator and Director General of the Innovation Council
The report also talks about the importance of training young people from primary school to interact with AI, as well as to develop their critical thinking in relation to the misinformation that could be presented to them by AI.
“The issue of fake news is one of the most discussed subjects,” said Mr. Sirois. There is a real danger, particularly through the targeting of AI, which can interact with citizens. When we think about the dangers of social media, they are exacerbated by AI. »
The CSN wants to put workers at the heart of the law
On Monday, the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN) reacted positively to the report’s recommendations, while indicating that a framework law to regulate AI must take into account the needs of workers.
“The CSN generally welcomes the recommendations contained in the report […]but demands that civil society – namely trade union organizations and the workers they represent – be at the heart of the process leading to the adoption, as soon as possible, of a framework law on AI and its possible application in the workplace,” the union reported in a press release.
The Quebec Public and Parapublic Service Union (SFPQ), for its part, observed “a discrepancy” between the findings resulting from the consultation and current government practices.
“Unfortunately, there is always a certain opacity around any project to integrate AI into public administration,” lamented Christian Daigle, general president of the SFPQ, in a press release. “The departments and agencies would benefit from consulting more about any technological change. When we want to promote efficiency at all costs to the detriment of the quality of the services offered, it is the citizens who pay the price. »
View the report Ready for AI: meeting the challenge of responsible development and deployment of AI in Quebec