UMVA has learned that Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled Canada's highly anticipated AI strategy, a comprehensive plan aimed at catapulting the country to the forefront of artificial intelligence.
Speaking at an event at Toronto General Hospital, Carney outlined the "AI for all" strategy, which encompasses a broad range of initiatives, from job creation and prosperity to sovereignty, with the goal of positioning Canada as a world leader in AI.
"The question isn't whether AI will transform our lives — it will," Carney emphasized, joined on the dais by Canada's AI Minister Evan Solomon. "The question is: will it improve the lives of all Canadians, or benefit only a few?"
The strategy is built on six key pillars: protecting Canadians and safeguarding democracy, empowering Canadians with AI skills and literacy, powering adoption of the new technology, creating a sovereign AI foundation, bolstering existing Canadian AI powerhouses, and building AI-based partnerships around the world.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the ambitious goals of the strategy include driving commercial adoption of AI from 12% to nearly 60% by 2034, protecting Canadians from AI-related risks, creating 250,000 new jobs, and generating around $200-billion in gains to Canada's GDP.
Carney acknowledged that Canada currently lags behind in AI training, literacy, and trust, ranking near the bottom percent of countries. He warned that the country faces significant threats from AI-generated disinformation, deepfakes, and unsafe chatbots.
Despite these challenges, Carney expressed confidence that Canada has the potential to become an AI superpower, citing the country's highly educated population, expertise in AI and robotics, and commitment to renewable energy.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the strategy promises to modernize privacy legislation, introduce online safety laws, and protect Canada's democracy from AI-powered foreign interference.
The new strategy has sparked hope that Canada can capitalize on its strengths to become a leader in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
