During a recent announcement, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed concerns regarding the potential risks posed by foreign artificial intelligence systems to Canadians. He emphasized that Canada is overly reliant on external providers for this transformative technology while launching the government's AI strategy.
Carney previously highlighted at the World Economic Forum in Davos that dominant nations, particularly the United States, utilize economic leverage to intimidate smaller countries. He reiterated on Thursday that a significant amount of data utilized in AI processes flows across international borders. Carney cautioned that, akin to economic integration in supply chains, AI could be turned into a tool for exploitation against Canadian interests.
"Such a situation poses real dangers, where foreign entities could access the personal data of Canadians and utilize AI technologies that influence Canadian society without alignment to our values," Carney pointed out. "Moreover, it could give an unfair advantage to foreign enterprises as Canada lacks sufficient power to counteract or oversee these dynamics."
The government's strategy indicates that "AI operates on a massive scale, predominantly controlled by powerful entities," highlighting that this reality presents considerable security and economic hurdles. It serves as a reminder that many nations may find themselves at the mercy of these global influencers.
The plan outlines Canada’s ambition to collaborate with other mid-tier countries and like-minded partners to successfully navigate the evolving AI landscape. "A coalition of democracies that pools resources such as research, talent, computation, and procurement will provide a viable alternative to the major players currently shaping the AI marketplace," the strategy document states.
To safeguard data privacy and security, Carney announced plans to introduce new legislation and develop a top-tier public AI supercomputer. He pointed out that many Canadian researchers rely on foreign cloud infrastructures, while Canadian firms store sensitive data outside their home country. The strategy underlines the necessity for the federal government to mitigate these issues by enhancing domestic capabilities whenever feasible, alongside engaging with trusted allies and acquiring established market solutions where necessary.
Additionally, the strategy identifies a significant gap in AI adoption within Canada. To combat this, Carney stated that the government intends to provide AI training in schools and community centers through a new literacy program. Free learning kits that include courses will be distributed to help Canadians recognize biases and misinformation, as well as equip them with the necessary AI skills to advance their careers.
Carney stressed that Canada ranks low on global scales of AI training, literacy, and trust. He noted that a mere 12% of Canadian businesses have integrated AI into their operations, with even lower rates of adoption found among small and medium-sized enterprises.
