PAN-CANADIAN AI STRATEGY

Start date :2017
End date :
Name of responsible governmental body :
  • Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR;)
Description :
  • The Government of Canada is providing the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) with a contribution of $125 million (in Canadian dollars) to launch a Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy to retain and attract top academic talent, and to increase the number of post-graduate trainees and researchers studying AI.

    Strategy focused on investments in talent, research capacity, commercialization and standardization of (generative) AI.
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Objectives:
  • To increase the number of outstanding AI researchers and skilled graduates in Canada.
  • To establish interconnected nodes of scientific excellence in Canada’s three major centres for AI in Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto-Waterloo.
  • To develop global thought leadership on the economic, ethical, policy and legal implications of advances in AI.
  • To support a national research community on AI.
  • To foster co-operation between AI research centres and industry.
OECD AI principle adressed:
  • Inclusive growth, sustainable development and well-being
  • Human-centred values and fairness
  • Investing in AI R&D
  • Building human capacity and preparing for labour market transition
Relevant policy area covered:
  • Digital economy
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Industry and entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Science and technology
  • Social and welfare issues
Related to a theme:
Direct beneficiaries:
Estimated budget expenditure (range per year):
  • 20M-50M
Background including shifts in the policy initiative:
  • Strong public support for research programs and world class expertise at Canadian universities has helped propel Canada to a position as leader in artificial intelligence and deep learning research and use. Canadian talent and ideas are in high demand around the world—but activity needs to remain in Canada to harness the benefits from artificial intelligence.

    To retain and attract top academic talent, and to increase the number of postgraduate trainees and researchers studying artificial intelligence and deep learning, Budget 2017 announced $125 million to launch a Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy for research and talent. The Strategy will promote collaboration between Canada’s main centres of expertise in Montréal, Toronto-Waterloo and Edmonton and position Canada as a world-leading destination for companies seeking to innovate through artificial intelligence technologies. Expanding the pipeline of Canadian talent for artificial intelligence will benefit businesses in a large breadth of sectors.

    Public acceptance of technology is important to successful innovation policy and there are important technological precedents to consider in promoting the societal capacity for coping and engaging well with emerging technologies such as AI. To foster positive societal reception of AI, the Strategy makes an investment in CIFAR’s AI & Society Program, to examine the multifaceted questions AI poses for society, engage diverse perspectives, communicate new knowledge and insights responsibly, and inform policy development around AI. Through the program, CIFAR funds policy-relevant working groups to examine the implications of AI as it relates to diverse topics (e.g. the economy, ethics, policymaking, philosophy and the law), publish their findings and inform the public and policy-makers.
Policy initiative is a structural reform:
  • No
Evaluated:
  • Yes
Link to evaluation or reports:
Public access URL:
Funding from the private sector:
  • No
Type of evaluation:
  • Impact evaluation (including human rights
Evaluation provides input to:
  • N.A
Evaluation performed by:
  • Public administration
  • Public research institute
Policy instruments :

National strategies, agendas and plans

  • Type : National strategies, agendas and plans
  • Name in English : Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy
  • Country : Canada
  • Public access URL : https://cifar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AICan-2020-CIFAR-Pan-Canadian-AI-Strategy-Impact-Report.pdf
  • Strategy mainly prioritises : Societal challenges (e.g. social inclusiveness); environmental challenges (e.g. sustainability)
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Societal challenges (e.g. social inclusiveness); environmental challenges (e.g. sustainability): “Leveraging AI to address the climate crisis”, “sustainability in the digital age”
  • Societal challenge(s) emphasised : Environmental sustainability

Public consultations of stakeholders or experts

  • Type : Public consultations of stakeholders or experts
  • Name in English :
  • Country : Canada
Last updated : Oct 3, 2023
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