Canada launches Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute

Institute 'will propel Canada to the forefront of global efforts to use AI responsibly'

BY Jim Wilson 13 Nov. 2024

The federal government has launched the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI) to bolster Canada’s capacity to address AI safety risks,

The institute will have an initial budget of $50 million over five years.

“The Canadian Institute for Artificial Intelligence Security will propel Canada to the forefront of global efforts to use AI responsibly, and will be a key player in building public trust in these technologies,” said François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry. “In a world that’s evolving quickly and full of unknowns, Canadians can be confident that we will always take the necessary steps to ensure the AI they use is safe, responsible, and trustworthy.”

Policies surrounding the use of artificial intelligence appear to be falling behind the growing use of the emerging technology among HR professionals, according to a previous report.

What is the CAISI?

The CAISI will advance the understanding of risks associated with advanced AI systems and to drive the development of measures to address those risks, according to the government.

The CAISI will conduct research under two streams:

Applied and investigator-led research will be funded through a contribution agreement with the global Canada-based research organization, CIFAR, enabling Canadian and international experts to explore critical AI safety questions.
Government-directed projects will be implemented by the National Research Council of Canada, focusing on AI projects that address direct government priorities like cybersecurity or those involving other international AI safety institutes.

The move is a key step, say stakeholders.

“As the world grapples with the potential and also the risks of artificial intelligence, CIFAR is pleased to participate in Canada’s response,” said Stephen Toope, president and CEO, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. “The CAISI Research Program at CIFAR will draw on the strengths of Canada’s robust AI scientific community in order to advance world-leading research on AI safety, for the benefit of all.”

“For more than 20 years, the National Research Council of Canada has been at the forefront of responsible applied AI,” added Mitch Davies, president, National Research Council of Canada. “Under the new institute, we will lead research projects to mitigate risks and advance the safe and reliable development of AI systems that are crucial to government priorities and Canada’s innovation objectives.”

CAISI will also collaborate with safety institutes in other jurisdictions as part of the new International Network of AI Safety Institutes, which will convene for the first time later this month in San Francisco.

AI safety institute housed with ISED

CAISI will be housed at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, with a dedicated office responsible for overseeing the research agenda and engaging with international partners.

Canada’s AI sector is a key job creator and driver of productivity, innovation and economic growth:

In 2022–23, there were over 140,000 actively engaged AI professionals in Canada, an increase of 29% compared to the previous year.
Canada has 10% of the world’s top-tier AI researchers, the second most in the world.
Canada ranks first globally for year-over-year growth of women in AI (67% growth in 2022–23 alone); first in the G7 for year-over-year growth of AI talent; and, since 2019, first in the G7 for the number of AI-related papers published per capita.
The number of AI patents filed by Canadian inventors increased by 57% in 2022–23 compared to the previous year—nearly three times the G7 average of just 23% over the same period.
In 2022, the Canadian AI sector attracted over $8.6 billion in venture capital, accounting for nearly 30% of all venture capital activity in Canada.
Canada ranks third in the G7 in total funding per capita raised for AI companies, with more than 670 Canadian AI start-ups and 30 Canadian generative AI companies receiving at least one investment deal valued at more than US$1 million since 2019.

Canadian businesses are increasingly turning to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as a driver of productivity and competitive advantage – but many are struggling with full integration, according to a previous KPMG report.