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Artificial intelligence

Canada's AI Task Force Under Fire for Industry-Heavy Lineup

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Liberal government's plan to revamp its national artificial intelligence strategy has drawn criticism from experts, who say the 27-member task force is too heavy on industry voices and neglects the risks posed by AI to Canada's culture, environment, and workforce.

The task force, announced by Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon last month, has a 30-day deadline to draft recommendations for a "refreshed" AI strategy, with the goal of releasing it later this year, two years earlier than planned. Critics argue that the group's focus on industry adoption and commercialization comes at the expense of more pressing concerns, such as the impact of AI on Canada's workforce, culture, and environment.

Teresa Scassa, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, said the task force's makeup is "skewed towards industry voices and the adoption of AI technologies." She added that the risks posed by AI to Canada's culture, environment, and workforce "deserve more attention in a national strategy."

Key Takeaways:

  • The task force has 27 members, with a strong representation from industry, including companies such as Cohere, CGI, Royal Bank of Canada, and Inovia Capital.
  • Critics argue that the group's focus on industry adoption and commercialization neglects the risks posed by AI to Canada's culture, environment, and workforce.
  • Teresa Scassa, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, claims the task force's makeup is "skewed towards industry voices and the adoption of AI technologies."
  • Joel Blit, an associate professor of economics at the University of Waterloo, says the government hasn't invested enough in AI literacy and education, calling for campaigns to promote digital literacy.
  • Luc Vinet, a physics professor at the Université de Montréal, suggests the government could focus on building up "national human infrastructure" in AI by linking academics and industry professionals.
  • The task force has until the end of the month to draft recommendations for a "refreshed" AI strategy, with a goal of releasing it later this year.

Statistics:

  • 27 members comprise the task force, with a significant number coming from industry.
  • $2.4-billion was invested in AI in the federal budget last year, primarily for building up computing capabilities and technological infrastructure.
  • Canada ranked 20th among OECD countries on AI adoption in 2023, according to a recent paper from the C.D. Howe Institute.
  • Canada has "always struggled to adopt new technologies as quickly as some other countries," according to Joel Blit.

Sources:

  • An email from Teresa Scassa to The Canadian Press
  • A recent paper from the C.D. Howe Institute
  • An interview with Joel Blit, associate professor of economics at the University of Waterloo
  • An interview with Luc Vinet, physics professor at the Université de Montréal
  • The Canadian Press

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