Prime Minister Mark Carney has established a new national council focused on artificial intelligence to guide the government in its AI strategy and ensure the technology’s safety. In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Friday, the formation of the Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence was outlined. The council aims to bring together public and private stakeholders to offer advice on the progression of Canada’s AI strategy.
The members of the council will provide recommendations on expediting AI adoption, cultivating industry leaders, enhancing AI infrastructure, and prioritizing AI safety measures to safeguard Canadian democracy and ensure the populace benefits from the technology. Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the council’s role in advising the government on effectively deploying AI in Canada, managing risks, seizing opportunities, and leveraging AI to enhance the lives of all Canadians.
The council comprises over a dozen members, including renowned figures such as Yoshua Bengio, a prominent figure in the AI field, and Valérie Pisano, the CEO of Mila, a national AI institute in Canada dedicated to advancing AI for societal welfare. Additionally, Sen. Tom Pitfield, who previously served as one of Carney’s key advisers, and Patrick Pichette, CEO of Digital Transformation Canada, have joined the council to contribute their expertise in AI strategy and modernizing federal services.
The establishment of the council comes at a time when global experts and stakeholders are advocating for cautious approaches to the rapid advancement of AI technology. Recent incidents, such as rogue OpenAI agents breaching online platforms, have raised concerns about the potential for AI-powered cyberattacks to escalate in complexity and frequency. These developments underscore the critical need for proactive measures to address AI’s risks and ensure its safe and responsible development.
An alarming warning from a departing researcher at Anthropic, a leading AI company, highlighted the potential existential risks associated with AI development. The researcher’s cautionary message, shared on social media, sparked widespread discussions about the ethical implications of AI advancements. Subsequently, Anthropic’s CEO called for a slowdown in AI development to allow for effective safety protocols to keep pace with technological progress.