More than 160 signatories, including 40+ organizations and more than 120 field experts, human rights advocates, and community representatives across Canada, have signed a Joint Civil Society Letter Opposing ISED’s “National Sprint” on AI Strategy.
The consultation process of the “National Sprint” suggests serious disregard for the Canadian public’s known and wide-ranging concerns about the demonstrated risks and harms of technologies currently classified as AI. This impression arises from the contrived urgency imposed by the short timeline for submitting informed views on a topic as complex and consequential as AI; the leading language, predetermined framing, and prioritization of business and economic interests in the associated survey; and the lack of human rights, civil liberties, and similar representatives on the AI Strategy Task Force (the “Task Force”) assembled by MP Evan Solomon, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation.
Experts and advocates focused on human rights and AI, who have engaged with the government in good faith despite a similarly flawed consultation on the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) in the now-expired Bill C-27 — many of whom have raised the alarm for a better public consultation process — have refused to participate in the performative consultation process.
More than half of the signatories have already committed to participating in the People’s Consultation on AI — a process that will be genuinely consultative, and seek input and insights from a broad cross-section of Canadians.
