The public service doesn’t need blind adopters of AI
The Canadian federal public service is under pressure to adopt AI, but hesitation is prudent given the risks involved. Responsible AI use requires controlled experimentation, governance, and caution to avoid 'shadow use' and ensure data sovereignty.
The Canadian federal public service is under pressure to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), with mandate letters cascading into departmental plans and day-to-day expectations. However, hesitation doesn't mean being behind; it means paying attention to the risks involved. Public servants are stewards of sensitive information and public trust, so caution is necessary. Poorly governed adoption creates risk, regardless of pace. Ideally, AI adoption should involve controlled experimentation, testing low-risk use cases, and building governance as implementation evolves. The public service needs to safeguard against risk while evolving to meet expectations for greater efficiency and improved service delivery. Responsible AI use involves not inputting sensitive information into unapproved systems, keeping humans accountable for outputs, and verifying results carefully.
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