The federal government has officially launched its inaugural public AI register, as declared by Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali on Friday morning. This register details the utilization and testing of artificial intelligence within federal departments. Currently, the register incorporates inputs from 43 organizations and showcases over 400 systems where AI is undergoing exploration, development, implementation, or deployment.
The objective of this register, as stated by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat in a news release, is to provide organizations with a comprehensive overview of AI activities across the government. This transparency aims to facilitate better planning, minimize redundancy, and help departments identify avenues for enhanced operational efficiency.
The initial version of the register includes specifics about the purpose and description of each AI system, its intended or current usage, and whether it was developed internally or by an external vendor. Federal organizations will continue to refine and update this register moving forward.
This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s agenda to integrate artificial intelligence into federal government functions, with the aim of enhancing public service efficiency. Recently, the government announced plans to pilot an AI tool in six departments and agencies to aid in translating official languages for public service use. Concerns were raised regarding the tool’s ability to capture nuances in the French language.
Moreover, the latest federal budget unveiled intentions to establish an Office of Digital Transformation to identify and scale technology solutions throughout the federal government, providing significant opportunities for domestic innovators. Shared Services Canada, in collaboration with the Department of National Defence and the Communications Security Establishment, will develop a made-in-Canada AI tool for deployment across federal entities, partnering with leading Canadian AI firms for its creation.
Additionally, the budget highlighted how various departments and agencies are exploring AI technologies to achieve cost savings by optimizing workflows, reducing manual efforts, and enhancing service delivery. For instance, the Department of Justice plans to integrate AI, advanced analytics, and automation tools to streamline tasks. Transport Canada aims to leverage AI and automation to minimize costs associated with repetitive tasks.
Furthermore, a proposed allocation of $25 million over six years, commencing this year, is intended for Statistics Canada to implement the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Measurement Program (TechStat). This program will utilize data to assess the utilization of AI by organizations and its societal impact in Canada.
