Initiative overview
The Government of Canada has used AI for many years. The recent explosion of AI capabilities demanded a coordinated approach to enable the government to benefit from AI while mitigating its risks.
The AI Strategy was intended to ensure that the government’s AI adoption and use:
- Is aligned with the government’s values and ethics, objectives, and mandate to serve Canadians
- Prioritises uses that will meet the needs of and deliver the greatest benefits to public servants and those they serve
- Is developed efficiently and collaboratively with internal and external partners
- Is responsible, safe, and secure, mitigating threats, risks, and harms to people and the environment
By responsibly adopting AI, the government can deliver world-class services to its clients, protect people and interests, achieve a more innovative and efficient workplace, and accelerate scientific discovery for the benefit of all.
Results, outcomes and impacts
The AI Strategy received positive feedback following its publication in 2025. Results are measured by progress made toward the key actions outlined in the AI Strategy. Teams across the federal government were tasked with completing and monitoring progress toward certain actions. Some completed key actions include the publication of a register of AI uses, the scaling of a secure machine translation project (GCtranslate) and collaboration on common capabilities with G7 governments. The AI Strategy is expected to result in increased AI use to support internal operations and service delivery, creating service improvements and operating efficiencies.
Challenges and lessons learned
The broad scope of programmes, services, department sizes, and AI readiness and maturity was challenging to address in a single strategy. This was addressed by including departments in its drafting and implementation. Preserving public trust in AI is another challenge. To address this, the government held public consultations on the Strategy, incorporating the findings in the Strategy in items such as the AI register. Developing the AI Strategy in the open, with ample public consultation, was a lesson learned. The team held in-person and virtual meetings with stakeholders, partners and AI experts across the country. This transparency resulted in a strategy that met public expectation.
