Canada unveils AI strategy with plans for widespread adoption, data centres
Canada’s government unveiled a new AI strategy led by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister Evan Solomon, focusing on large-scale data centers, industry adoption, and safeguards against AI harms like deepfakes and disinformation. The plan targets five key sectors—health, energy, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing—while allocating $50 million to strengthen AI safety and cybersecurity under six pillars, including online safety laws and child protection standards.
Canada’s federal government launched its AI strategy on Thursday, with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon announcing plans to accelerate AI adoption across industries, government, and daily life. The strategy includes building large-scale data centers, restricting surveillance pricing, and expanding AI use in health, energy, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing. Five economic sectors were identified as priorities for AI integration, alongside a $50 million investment to bolster the Canadian AI Safety Institute’s capabilities. The strategy outlines six key pillars, with the first focused on protecting Canadians and safeguarding democracy through updated online safety laws. These measures aim to combat AI-powered harms such as deepfakes, synthetic media, and disinformation, particularly ahead of elections. Ottawa will also introduce consumer privacy legislation to shield children’s data and prevent inappropriate use of personal information, including for surveillance pricing. Critics, including Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman and NDP Leader Avi Lewis, raised concerns about the plan’s lack of detail on job security and regulatory safeguards. Lantsman questioned the government’s claim of creating 90,000 new jobs for young Canadians, citing over 112,000 job losses since January. Lewis called for stronger regulations to protect workers, privacy, and natural resources, warning that the strategy prioritizes business adoption without addressing potential worker displacement. The government emphasized modernizing privacy laws to align with AI advancements, including measures to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Carney highlighted the G7 summit as an opportunity to advance child safety standards, while the strategy commits to new legislation and standards to ensure AI systems operate responsibly. The plan also aims to strengthen cybersecurity defenses for essential systems against evolving digital risks.
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