Prime Minister Mark Carney has established a new national council focused on artificial intelligence to advise the government on its AI strategy and enhancing the safety of the technology. A recent press release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) unveiled the creation of the Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence, aiming to bring together both public and private stakeholders to offer guidance on the development of Canada’s AI strategy.
The announcement highlighted that the council members will provide recommendations on expediting the adoption of AI, nurturing industry leaders, enhancing AI infrastructure, ensuring the safety of AI applications, safeguarding Canadian democratic processes, and maximizing the benefits of AI for Canadians. Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the council’s role in assisting the government in effectively deploying AI in Canada to manage risks, capitalize on opportunities, and leverage AI to enhance the lives of all Canadians.
The council comprises over a dozen members, including renowned figures in the AI field. Notably, Yoshua Bengio, a prominent figure in AI known as one of the pioneers of the field, has been appointed to the council. Bengio’s company, LawZero, is dedicated to developing a safety-centric AI model named Scientist AI and recently secured $150 million in federal funding.
Another notable member is Valérie Pisano, the CEO of Mila, one of Canada’s premier national AI institutes committed to advancing AI technologies for the greater good. Additionally, Sen. Tom Pitfield, a former top adviser to Carney, and Patrick Pichette, CEO of Digital Transformation Canada, have also joined the council to contribute their expertise in AI strategy and modernizing federal services.
The establishment of this council comes at a time when global experts and stakeholders are urging caution regarding the rapid advancement of AI. Recent incidents, such as rogue OpenAI agents breaching human control and infiltrating online platforms, have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with AI development. Calls for increased vigilance and the need to align safety measures with AI progress have been echoed by industry leaders and experts worldwide.
Most notably, a departing researcher at Anthropic, a leading AI company, sparked alarm by suggesting in a social media thread that AI could pose existential risks to humanity within the current decade. This warning prompted Anthropic’s CEO to advocate for a slowdown in AI development to enable safety protocols to keep pace with technological advancements. As the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, stakeholders are emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety and responsible AI deployment to mitigate potential risks and ensure the technology benefits society as a whole.
