what you need to know
- Canada plans to invest $2.4 billion in artificial intelligence, focusing on enhancing artificial intelligence research, start-ups and large-scale computing capabilities.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau highlighted the potential of this investment to drive job creation and increase research and business productivity in the field of artificial intelligence.
- A significant portion of the investment (approximately CAD 2 billion) will be dedicated to enhancing computing capabilities and infrastructure.
Canada’s Liberal government has unveiled a C$2.4 billion package aimed at boosting the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
According to CBC, the Canadian government intends to use the 2024 budget to invest funds in enhancing the computing capabilities of the country’s artificial intelligence researchers, start-ups and large-scale enterprises.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the investment will unleash the full potential of artificial intelligence by accelerating job creation in Canada and increasing research and business productivity through its adoption.
The majority of the investment (C$2 billion) will be used to enhance computing capabilities and infrastructure. This support will benefit Canada’s leading AI researchers and startups, leading to the establishment of Canada’s AI Sovereign Computing Strategy.
Currently, Canada relies heavily on private computing systems, likely referring to cloud services provided by foreign companies. This raises security concerns as data stored on these systems may be vulnerable to external access.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said at a press conference on Sunday that the fund would allow Canada to store and process data within its borders, potentially improving national security, the Toronto Star reported.
Freeland believes Canada has the resources to build its own supercomputing infrastructure. This includes clean electricity to power the system, skilled engineers to design and maintain the system, a cold climate to aid cooling, and ample space to accommodate large facilities.
In addition, Canada’s Regional Development Agency will allocate $200 million to incentivize AI startups and strengthen AI integration in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, clean technology and manufacturing.
Generative AI models are developing rapidly, driven by pioneers such as OpenAI and its ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Canada seems eager to develop its own competitors in this area.
The Canadian government also spent $50 million to establish an Artificial Intelligence Security Institute. The institute may research and develop safeguards to mitigate risks posed by “advanced or nefarious artificial intelligence systems.”
Another $5.1 million will go directly to the Office of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Commissioner, which may be tasked with enforcing the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Bill. The bill would establish guidelines and regulations around the development, use and oversight of artificial intelligence in Canada.