Progress on AI in government
Publication of the Guide on the Use of Agentic Artificial Intelligence ()
- Provides practical, risk-based guidance to help federal departments and agencies explore and adopt agentic artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly by applying appropriate governance, safeguards and monitoring.
- Complements existing Government of Canada instruments and guidance by addressing the specific opportunities, risks and controls associated with agentic AI systems, which require additional governance considerations beyond the material covered in the Guide on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, while remaining fully aligned with its principles.
Completion of the G7 public sector AI commitments from Canada’s 2025 Presidency ()
- To deliver on the commitments from the G7 Leaders’ Statement on AI for Prosperity, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, in collaboration with the G7 artificial intelligence (AI) network and Impact Canada, completed the G7 GovAI Grand Challenge. Seven funding recipients were recognized for the potential of their AI solutions to address real problems facing the public sector.
- As well, a roadmap to scale AI projects in the public sector and the G7 AI solution directory were published, contributing to the advancement of AI use and re-use in the public sector.
Publication of the Government of Canada AI Register (Minimum Viable Product) ()
- The Government of Canada (GC) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Register collects information about the GC’s AI systems. Its publication fulfils a commitment made in the AI Strategy for the Federal Public Service 2025-2027.
- This version of the GC AI Register is a minimum viable product (MVP), or an early version with only basic features and content that is used to gather feedback. It was assembled from existing sources of information, including Algorithmic Impact Assessments, Access to Information requests, responses to Parliamentary Questions, Personal Information Banks, and the GC Service Inventory.
- This MVP version of the GC AI Register will be used to engage partners and the public on the content and functions they would like to see in future versions. This feedback will be used to develop an improved version of the GC AI Register that will replace the MVP and will be updated regularly.
Launch of the G7 AI Network ()
- In the G7 Leaders’ Statement on AI for Prosperity, Canada committed to working with G7 nations to accelerate the adoption of AI in the public sector.
- As part of this commitment, Canada established a G7 AI Network (GAIN) to connect expertise across member countries and work collaboratively toward common goals with measurable and meaningful impacts. With the GAIN, Canada will also host a GovAI Grand Challenge focused on solving pressing challenges across G7 public sectors.
- The GAIN will take part in a series of meetings from to , beginning with the inaugural session on . These gatherings will allow for the planning of the Rapid Solution Labs, designed to accelerate practical AI adoption in government. The GAIN will also develop a catalogue of open-source solutions and a roadmap to scaling AI solutions in the public sector.
Updates to the Directive on Automated Decision-Making ()
- The directive was amended following the fourth review of this instrument, based on feedback received from experts within and outside the federal government.
- Key improvements were made to increase the transparency of systems and their impacts, strengthen senior-level accountability, enhance testing and monitoring, and increase consistency within the policy suite.
- The Algorithmic Impact Assessment tool was updated to support changes to the directive. Key changes to the tool include adding more detailed questions about the systems, algorithms and impacts, and providing more space to explain system impacts and mitigations.
Publication of the AI Strategy for the Federal Public Service 2025-2027 ()
- The Strategy outlines how the Government of Canada can deliver world-class services to its clients, protect our people and interests, achieve a more innovative and efficient workplace, and accelerate scientific discovery for the benefit of all.
Canada signs the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law ()
- Canada signed the Framework Convention, which establishes a common international legal framework to address risks that artificial intelligence (AI) poses to human rights, democratic institutions and the rule of law.
- Canada will continue to work with international and domestic partners to support the responsible development and use of AI while protecting people and communities.
Publication of the What We Heard Report on the Consultations on the AI Strategy for the Federal Public Service ()
- The report summarizes what we heard during extensive consultations and will help advance the government’s digital transformation toward modern, integrated systems that respond to the needs of Canadians.
Release of the Guide to Peer Review of Automated Decision Systems ()
- Provides guidance to departments to help ensure compliance with the Directive on Automated Decision-Making (subsection 6.3.5) and supports experts undertaking a peer review
- Defines a peer review process, proposes roles and responsibilities and identifies best practices to improve the consistency and robustness of reviews
Release of Generative AI in Your Daily Work ()
- Complements the Guide on the Use of Generative AI, offering concise best practices and do’s and don’ts for the use of generative AI tools by public servants in their daily work
Public Consultation on Government of Canada’s artificial intelligence strategy for the federal public service ( – )
- Artificial intelligence (AI) has enormous potential to further improve productivity, efficiency and the quality of services the federal government provides to Canadians. To ensure that AI is adopted responsibly, inclusively, and safely, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat is developing an AI strategy for the Government of Canada
Release of the Guide on Scope of the Directive on Automated Decision-Making ()
- Provides additional information to help departments assess whether their automated systems fall within the scope of the directive
Updates to the Guide on the use of generative artificial intelligence ()
- The second version of the guide incorporates feedback from targeted external stakeholder engagement (academics, bargaining agents and industry) and addresses questions from federal institutions
- Key changes include enhanced definitions for the FASTER principles, new sections on responsibilities for federal institutions and documentation requirements, and the addition of new frequently asked questions
Endorsement of the updated Digital Nations Shared Approach to the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Government ()
- The Shared Approach was initially developed in 2018 by member countries including Canada
- The updated Shared Approach re-confirms the collective commitment to develop and implement approaches to AI governance in the public sector that reflect the core principles of transparency, accountability, and procedural fairness
Release of the Guide on the use of generative artificial intelligence ()
- Provides guidance to federal institutions in their use of generative AI
- Includes an overview of generative AI, identifies limitations and concerns about its use, puts forward “FASTER” principles for its responsible use, and includes policy considerations and best practices
Updates to the Directive on Automated Decision-Making ()
- The Directive was amended following the third review of the instrument
- Key changes include an expanded scope and new measures for explanation, bias testing, data governance, GBA+, and peer review
- The Algorithmic Impact Assessment was updated to support changes to the directive. This includes new questions concerning the reasons for automation and impacts on persons with disabilities
Stakeholder engagement on the third review of the Directive on Automated Decision-Making (April – November, 2022)
- Engagement with over 30 stakeholder groups, including in federal institutions, universities, civil society organizations, governments in other jurisdictions, and international organizations
- Engagement included roundtables with the GC Advisory Council on AI, Canadian Human Rights Commission, Digital Governance Council, bargaining agents, networks for equity-seeking federal employees, and representatives from relevant GC functional communities
Updates to the Directive on Automated Decision-Making ()
- The Directive was amended based on feedback received from stakeholders
Compliance with the Directive on Automated Decision-Making ()
- All new automated decision systems must now comply with the Directive
Launch of the Directive on Automated Decision-Making ()
- Official launch of the Directive during the Second AI Day
Lunch and Learn with GC Entrepreneurs group ()
Consultations in Toronto and Montreal on the Directive and Algorithmic Impact Assessment
- External stakeholders included UQAM, CIFAR, Osgoode Law, and AI Impact Alliance (AiiA)
Consultation with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada ()
Justice AI taskforce session ()
- Justice AI taskforce created to provide input and direction on legal issues
- 25 representatives including from human rights, IP, commercial, IRCC, ESDC, and TBS
AI Day ()
- 120 participants from industry, academia, and government
AI policy working group kick-off ()
- Hosted by GAC to develop departmental policies on AI
Policy Horizons Directive Design Session ()
- Interdepartmental workshop to talk about the development of the Directive
- Participants included TBS, IRCC, ISED, and ESDC
Kick-off session with Departments ()
- Organized workshop with over 100 participants
- Participants included TBS, IRCC, DFO, AAFC, CBSA, Funding Councils, GAC, ESDC, NRC, PCH, HC, NRCAN, Canada Council for the Arts, CRA, ISED, Policy Horizons, and SSC
Drafting of the Directive (October, 2017 – March, 2019)
- TBS binding policy focused on the automation of decisions
Drafting of the AI whitepaper (October, 2016 – October, 2017)
- Developed in the open with several academic, civil society, and government subject matter experts