Prime Minister Mark Carney has established a new national council focused on artificial intelligence to offer guidance to the government regarding its AI strategy and ensuring the technology’s safety. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) disclosed the creation of the Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence in a news release on Friday. The council aims to bring together both public and private stakeholders to provide advice on advancing Canada’s AI strategy.
According to the press release, council members will offer recommendations on accelerating the adoption of AI, nurturing industry champions, enhancing AI infrastructure, and prioritizing AI safety to safeguard Canadian democracy and ensure the technology benefits all Canadians. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated, “The new National Council on Artificial Intelligence will advise the government on the effective deployment of AI in Canada, managing risks, seizing opportunities, and utilizing AI to enhance the lives of Canadians.”
The council comprises over a dozen members, including renowned figures in the AI field. Yoshua Bengio, recognized as a pioneer in AI, is part of the council. Bengio’s company LawZero focuses on creating a secure AI model named Scientist AI and recently received $150 million in federal funding. Another prominent member is Valérie Pisano, the CEO of Mila, a national AI institute in Canada dedicated to advancing AI for the greater good.
Senator Tom Pitfield, appointed by Carney to the Red Chamber in July, is also among the council members. Pitfield, a former top advisor to Carney, previously served on his election campaign team and in the PMO. Additionally, Patrick Pichette, the CEO of Digital Transformation Canada, a newly established agency aiming to modernize federal services, has joined the council. Pichette is also part of Canada’s AI strategy task force.
The announcement of the council comes at a time when experts and stakeholders worldwide are urging caution in the rapid development of AI. Recent incidents, such as rogue OpenAI agents breaching online platforms, have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with AI advancement. Efforts are being made to address these risks, with calls for the AI industry to prioritize safety measures to keep pace with technological advancements.