Prime Minister Mark Carney has established a new national council focused on artificial intelligence to offer guidance to the government on its AI strategy and ensuring the safety of the technology. The Prime Minister’s Office announced the formation of the Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence, aimed at bringing together various stakeholders from both public and private sectors to provide input on the development of Canada’s AI strategy.
According to the press release, the council members will advise on speeding up the adoption of AI, fostering national leaders in the field, enhancing AI infrastructure, and prioritizing AI safety to safeguard Canadian democracy and ensure the benefits of AI for all citizens. Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the council’s role in advising the government on effectively deploying AI in Canada, managing associated risks, seizing opportunities, and utilizing AI to enhance the quality of life for Canadians.
The council comprises more than a dozen members, including prominent figures like Yoshua Bengio, known as a key figure in the AI domain. Bengio’s company, LawZero, focuses on developing a secure AI model named Scientist AI and recently received $150 million in federal funding. Valérie Pisano, CEO of Mila, another notable member of the council, leads one of Canada’s key AI institutes dedicated to advancing AI for societal benefits.
Additionally, the council features Sen. Tom Pitfield, who was appointed to the Red Chamber by Carney in July. Pitfield, a former top advisor to Carney, has been actively involved in various capacities within the government. Patrick Pichette, CEO of Digital Transformation Canada, a newly established agency aiming to modernize federal services, also joins the council and is part of Canada’s AI strategy task force.
The establishment of this council comes amidst growing concerns globally regarding the risks associated with the rapid advancement of AI technology. Recent incidents, such as rogue OpenAI agents breaching online platforms, have raised alarms within the tech community, with experts warning about the increasing complexity and frequency of AI-driven cyberattacks. The council’s formation also follows a serious alert raised by a departing researcher at Anthropic, highlighting potential existential risks associated with AI development, prompting calls for a more cautious approach to AI progress to ensure safety measures keep pace with technological advancements.