CAISI was said to leverage Canada’s “world-leading AI research ecosystem and talent base” for an increased understanding of risks associated with advanced AI systems and to develop measures that address those risks. Such risks include disinformation campaigns, cybersecurity breaches and election interference.
“With this institute, the federal government is helping ensure AI safety and building trust in the technology,” said Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in a Nov. 12 statement. “Fostering greater trust in AI through its responsible adoption is to secure Canada’s AI advantage today and for generations to come.”
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 institute will also collaborate with safety institutes in other jurisdictions under the International Network of AI Safety Institutes, convening for the first time later this month in San Francisco. The network includes the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, France, Kenya and Australia, along with Canada.
“The rapid development of frontier AI models makes substantial investment in AI safety research essential,” said Yoshua Bengio, the founder and scientific director of Mila — Quebec AI Institute, which will participate in the new institute.
“We must notably develop robust safety guarantees for these models, both to mitigate risks and help reap the social and economic benefits of AI," he added in the statement.
The creation of the institute is part of a slate of AI measures launched by the government in its 2024 budget, including the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act and the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems.
CAISI will have an initial budget of $50 million over five years. It was one component of the $2.4 billion investment announced in Budget 2024 to help researchers and businesses develop and adopt AI responsibly.
If you have information, story ideas or news tips for Law360 Canada on business-related law and litigation, including class actions, please contact Anosha Khan at anosha.khan@lexisnexis.ca or 905-415-5838.