More organizations including Mastercard, Salesforce and
Lenovo commit to the responsible development and management of
advanced generative artificial intelligence systems
OTTAWA,
ON, May 27, 2024 /CNW/ - Recent advances in
artificial intelligence (AI) technology are benefiting society in
many ways, including in improving supply chain management,
enhancing health care and precision medicine, and helping tackle
environmental sustainability challenges. These advances, however,
have also reaffirmed the urgency of ensuring that AI systems,
particularly advanced generative AI systems, are developed and
managed safely.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and
Industry, announced that eight more organizations have undertaken a
voluntary commitment in support of the ongoing development of a
robust, responsible AI ecosystem in Canada. The new signatories to the Voluntary
Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of
Advanced Generative AI Systems are:
- Alloprof
- Kyndryl
- Lenovo
- Levio
- MaRS Discovery District
- Mastercard
- Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec
(OACIQ)
- Salesforce
In signing on to the voluntary code, these organizations are
pledging to apply the code to their operations when developing and
managing advanced generative AI systems. They are joining the 22
other signatories that have committed to supporting the ongoing
development of a robust, responsible AI ecosystem in Canada. In addition, Canada continues to engage in domestic and
international discussions supporting the creation of common
standards and safeguards for generative AI systems.
The code is based on the input received from a cross-section of
stakeholders through these engagements and through the consultation
on the development of a Canadian code of practice for generative AI
systems. The government has published a summary of feedback
received during the consultation.
The government continues to take a leadership role in AI,
committing $2.4 billion in Budget 2024 to help
secure Canada's AI advantage.
Measures include investing in compute capacity and infrastructure,
accelerating responsible and safe AI adoption and deployment, and
supporting workers through skills training.
Quotes
"Artificial intelligence is one of the greatest technological
transformations of our age, and our government is committed to
providing Canadians and Canadian businesses with the tools they
need to thrive in this digital era. In undertaking the Voluntary
Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of
Advanced Generative AI Systems, leading Canadian organizations
continue to adopt responsible measures for advanced generative AI
systems that will help build safety and trust well into the future
as the technology grows."
– The Honourable François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
"Generative AI and traditional AI will unlock profound
opportunities to enable solutions that benefit everyone. But, for
this innovation to be sustainable and inclusive, people will need
to trust it. And that starts with foundational practices that
respect and protect individual rights and communities. At
Mastercard, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of data and
tech responsibility, and we believe Canada's voluntary generative AI code of
conduct is an important step forward in creating a unified
framework for responsible data-driven innovation."
– Sasha Krstic, President,
Mastercard, Canada
"We've seen how exploring and using artificial intelligence as a
tool to support the real estate brokerage regulatory framework and
its unique mission of protecting the public is paying off. In
addition, our approach is helping to unleash the full potential of
our employees by automating routine tasks. Innovation, Science and
Economic Development Canada's initiative in creating a code of
conduct on artificial intelligence, to which the OACIQ adheres,
demonstrates the importance of adopting an ethical approach in this
field of innovation."
– Nadine Lindsay, LL.B., ASC, C.Dir., Mediator, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage
immobilier du Québec
"The Government of Canada's
Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and
Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems is a
significant step forward for the entire AI community and a
strong commitment to AI stewardship. At MaRS, we are dedicated to
upholding these standards to cultivate an ecosystem where
innovation flourishes ethically and responsibly, ensuring that
Canada continues to lead in safe
and impactful AI advancements."
–Alison Nankivell, Chief Executive Officer at MaRS Discovery
District
"AI has the potential to enhance productivity and reshape entire
industries for the benefit of humanity. Building that future will
take a partnership between regulators, businesses, and civil
society. We're proud to sign Canada's voluntary generative AI code of
conduct as we collectively work towards instilling trust in the
technology."
–Eric Leob, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs at
Salesforce
Quick facts
- The Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development
and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems was launched in
2023.
- The Government of Canada has
already taken significant steps toward ensuring that AI technology
evolves responsibly and safely through the proposed Artificial
Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), which was introduced in
June 2022 as part of Bill C-27, also
known as the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022.
- AIDA is designed to promote the responsible design, development
and use of AI systems in Canada's
private sector, with a focus on systems with the greatest impact on
health, safety and human rights (high-impact systems).
- Since the introduction of Bill C-27, the government has engaged
extensively with stakeholders on AIDA and will continue to seek the
advice of Canadians, experts—including the government's Advisory
Council on Artificial Intelligence—and international partners on
the novel challenges posed by emerging AI technologies.
- Bill C-27 was adopted at second reading in the House of Commons
in April 2023 and is currently being
studied by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and
Technology.
Associated links
- Securing Canada's AI
advantage
- Consultation on the development of a Canadian code of practice
for generative artificial intelligence systems
- Minister Champagne launches voluntary code of conduct relating
to advanced generative AI systems
- Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and
Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems
- New laws to strengthen Canadians' privacy protection and trust
in the digital economy
- Canada's Digital Charter and
Bill C-27: Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Act
- Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence
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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada