Prime Minister Mark Carney has established a new national council focused on artificial intelligence to offer guidance on Canada’s AI strategy and ensure the technology’s safety. The Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence, as announced by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a recent press release, aims to gather input from various stakeholders, both public and private, to shape the country’s approach to AI.
According to the release, the council members will play a key role in advising on the swift adoption of AI, fostering industry leaders, enhancing AI infrastructure, and prioritizing safety measures. Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the council’s role in effectively deploying AI in Canada, managing risks, seizing opportunities, and leveraging AI for the betterment of all Canadians.
Among the council members is renowned AI expert Yoshua Bengio, known as one of the pioneers in the field. Bengio’s company, LawZero, received significant federal funding last month for its innovative AI model, Scientist AI. Additionally, Valérie Pisano, CEO of Mila, a prominent national AI institute, and Sen. Tom Pitfield, a former top adviser to Carney, have been named to the council.
Also joining the council is Patrick Pichette, CEO of Digital Transformation Canada, an agency dedicated to modernizing federal services and a member of Canada’s AI strategy task force. The council’s formation comes at a time when global experts and stakeholders are advocating for cautious approaches to AI development, citing concerns about potential risks associated with the technology’s rapid advancement.
Recently, a researcher at Anthropic, a leading AI company, raised alarms about the potential dangers of AI, prompting calls for a slowdown in development to ensure safety measures keep pace with technological progress. The industry is facing increasing scrutiny and calls for responsible AI development to address emerging risks effectively.
