Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali revealed on Friday the launch of the federal government’s inaugural public AI register, delineating the utilization and testing of artificial intelligence within federal departments. As stated by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat in a press release, the current register encompasses insights from 43 organizations, featuring more than 400 systems where AI is presently under exploration, development, implementation, or deployment.
The register’s primary aim is to provide organizations with a comprehensive overview of AI endeavors across the government, facilitating enhanced planning, diminishing duplication, and enabling departments to pinpoint opportunities for improved efficiency. The initial version of the register includes details regarding the purpose and description of each AI system, its intended or current use, and whether it was developed in-house or by an external vendor. Federal organizations will continuously refine and update the register, according to the press release.
This initiative marks the most recent stride in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s initiative to integrate artificial intelligence into federal government operations, with the objective of enhancing public service efficiency. Introduced at the end of September, the federal government announced a pilot of an AI tool in six departments and agencies to aid in translating official languages for the public service, raising concerns about its ability to capture nuances in the French language.
In the latest federal budget, the Carney administration outlined plans to establish an Office of Digital Transformation to identify and expand technology solutions across the federal government, presenting a substantial opportunity for domestic innovators. Additionally, Shared Services Canada (SSC), in collaboration with the Department of National Defence and the Communications Security Establishment, will develop a made-in-Canada AI tool for deployment across the federal government, partnering with leading Canadian AI companies for its development.
The budget also highlights how certain departments and agencies are leveraging AI technology to realize cost savings by streamlining workflows, reducing manual effort, and enhancing service delivery. For instance, the Department of Justice plans to integrate AI, advanced analytics, and automation tools to streamline tasks, while Transport Canada intends to utilize AI and automation to decrease costs related to repetitive tasks.
Furthermore, the government is proposing an allocation of $25 million over six years, commencing this year, to Statistics Canada for the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Measurement Program (TechStat). This program aims to utilize data for assessing the utilization of AI by organizations and determining its impact on Canadian society.
