The Canadian federal government has initiated public consultations on the country’s first AI strategy for federal public services. Announced by Minister Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board, the initiative aims to gather Canadians’ feedback on how AI should be used within the federal government.
This process began in May 2024, which involved receiving input from AI experts, academics, industry leaders, and representatives from various communities. The announcement was made at the Symposium on Digital Trust and Cyber Security, an annual meeting with digital government ministers from federal, provincial, and territorial governments.
Preliminary consultations have already emphasized the need for the strategy to be human-centred, collaborative, and focused on the secure and responsible implementation of AI. The goal is to develop a strategy that will guide the Government of Canada in leveraging AI to improve productivity, enhance research capabilities, and deliver better digital services.
AI tools already seem to be making a positive impact on Canadian lives, including reducing unexpected deaths in hospitals by 26 percent. According to Statistics Canada, this optimistic trend is anticipated to continue in healthcare and education professionals, helping to retain jobs and amplify productivity. In contrast, the outlook for finance, insurance, information, and cultural industries is more pessimistic, as jobs in these sectors are expected to be disrupted by AI. Instead of enhancing human roles, AI is likely to compete directly with them.
To implement effective policies surrounding AI, this research implies the imperativeness of keeping human impact as the focus. Technology’s role ought to support human welfare, prompting critical reflection on its usage and beneficiaries where it is implemented. This is why policymakers need accurate, transparent data, with continued unbiased perspectives from Statistics Canada to guide informed decisions.
