Carney’s campaign made big promises for AI. Will his government deliver?
Mark Carney, the new prime minister of Canada, has promised to lead an economic transformation in the country with a renewed focus on artificial intelligence (AI). This key pillar of his plan has garnered attention from experts who see potential in Carney’s campaign pledge to invest in this technology. However, there are concerns that Canada, despite being a leader in early AI development, may fall behind other countries if the government fails to deliver on its promises.
Lawrence Zhang, head of policy at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation’s Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness, expressed optimism about Carney’s priorities but emphasized the importance of actual delivery. He stated, “They care about the right stuff and I think they are generally on the right track. I don’t know if they’re going to deliver or not. But it’s extremely important that they do deliver.”
During the election campaign, Carney announced initiatives such as providing up to $15,000 for workers in priority sectors to learn AI skills and investing $2.5 billion in digital infrastructure over the next two fiscal years. The Liberal platform also promised a 20% tax credit for small- and medium-sized businesses on AI adoption projects and the expansion of national AI institutes or the creation of a new Office of Digital Transformation.
Carney’s focus on AI is not new, as he highlighted the importance of rapidly capitalizing on AI in his book “Value(s)” in 2021. He emphasized the role of AI in the digital transformation and the need for smarter machines to replace various human activities.
Adegboyega Ojo, the Canada Research Chair in Governance and Artificial Intelligence, pointed out that consistent investment is crucial for building a healthy AI ecosystem. He stressed the importance of stimulating private investment in the sector to complement government funding. Zhang also warned that Canada lags behind other countries in AI development, which could impact foreign competitiveness and economic prosperity.
Julien Billot, the CEO of Scale AI, emphasized the inevitability of AI becoming a significant part of the Canadian economy. He stated, “We are in a world driven by electricity and software. AI is just another layer on software and it’s going to improve software, whether we like it or not.”
While former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government allocated $2.4 billion for Canada’s AI sector over five years, Ojo noted that sustained investment is necessary to attract private investors. Billot highlighted the competition Canada faces from countries like the United States, China, and Europe, which have more resources to strengthen their AI sectors.
The Carney government has not provided a specific timeline for implementing its AI-related promises, such as establishing a new Office of Digital Transformation. However, the government recognizes the potential of AI to drive transformation across various sectors, including in government operations.
Zhang emphasized the potential benefits of a national AI strategy, such as improving education, healthcare, and economic growth for Canadians. He underscored the importance of leveraging AI across the economy beyond just tech companies.
Billot raised concerns about sovereignty in AI development, highlighting the need for Canada to maintain control over this technology to avoid reliance on other countries. He compared it to building an army, stating that without developing domestic AI capabilities, Canada would always be at the mercy of others.
In conclusion, Carney’s commitment to advancing AI in Canada is a crucial step towards economic transformation. However, sustained investment, collaboration between public and private sectors, and a strategic national approach are essential to ensure Canada’s competitiveness in the global AI landscape.
