Minister Anand launches public consultations on Canada’s first artificial intelligence strategy for the federal public service

September 16, 2024 – St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board, launched public consultations on Canada’s first artificial intelligence (AI) strategy for the federal public service. This next phase of the public consultation process will gather insights from Canadians across the country on how artificial intelligence should, or shouldn’t, be used in the federal government.

The announcement took place during the annual meeting with digital government ministers from the Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial governments at the Symposium on Digital Trust and Cyber Security. The symposium brings together digital government leaders to collaborate on digital transformation initiatives across Canada, including the advancement of cyber security, digital trust, and responsible use of AI.

Consultations for the strategy began in May 2024 at a roundtable with prominent AI experts and leaders in academia and private and public sectors from across Canada. Consultations with representatives of academia, bargaining agents, civil society, the public service, Indigenous communities, and industry have already taken place. So far, the feedback received reinforces that the strategy needs to be human-centered, collaborative, trusted, and ready for safe, secure, and successful AI adoption across government.

Once developed, the strategy will align and accelerate responsible AI adoption throughout the federal public service. It will outline how the Government of Canada will leverage AI in technology and operations to enhance productivity of public servants, increase our capacity for science and research, and deliver improved digital services for people in Canada.

Events like the symposium are vital to building on Canada’s digital progress, ensuring better and consistent service delivery to Canadians, and finding solutions to challenges that involve multiple levels of government, including the responsible use of AI.