Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Sunday that the Liberal government will set aside $2.4 billion in the next budget to build capacity in artificial intelligence.
The bulk of that, $2 billion, will go to a fund aimed at providing access to computing capabilities and technology infrastructure.
Prime Minister Trudeau made the announcement in Montreal as part of his pre-budget visit.
He said the federal government will soon begin discussions with industry on a new AI Computing Access Fund and accompanying strategies to expand Canada's sector.
“We want to help businesses deploy AI in ways that have a positive impact for everyone,” Prime Minister Trudeau said, pledging $200 million to deploy AI in sectors such as agriculture, health care and clean technology. It added that the money would be used for promotion.
The government will set up a $50 million AI Safety Institute to protect against what it calls “advanced or nefarious AI systems,” with a further $5.1 million coming from the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. The funding will be earmarked for the Office of the AI ​​and Data Commissioner to enforce the Act. .
Bill C-27 is the first federal law specifically targeting artificial intelligence. It would update privacy laws and introduce new obligations for “high-impact” systems.
The bill has been considered in committee since September 2023.
Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said Canada is a world leader in AI.
“Why don't we stop asking what AI can do for us? Start asking what we want it to do for us,” he said.
Latest pre-budget announcements
The Liberal Party is conducting a series of campaign-style activities across the country as it prepares its April 16 budget.
Last week's announcements focused on housing, including funding to help build apartments and affordable units. Housing Minister Sean Fraser also said a full housing plan would be published before the Budget.
Meanwhile, the federal Conservatives sent a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau outlining their demands for the fiscal plan.
In a letter to Trudeau, party leader Pierre Poièvre said the prime minister's “out-of-control inflationary spending” was causing interest rates to balloon and “taxes are pushing people to the limit.” .
He called on the government to end carbon pricing, allow cities to build 15% more housing each year as a condition of receiving federal infrastructure funding, and cap spending to ensure comparable savings. Ta.
Poièvre said the Conservatives would agree to support the budget if these conditions were met.
But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hit back Sunday: “I understand that the job of an opposition leader is to criticize the government. But it's not fear-mongering.”
Prime Minister Trudeau also insisted that Liberal policies such as carbon pricing and funding to boost housing construction are not inflationary, adding that experts and economists “nearly agree” that they do so. Ta.
“Once again Pierre Poièvre is wrong and has not listened to experts and economists.”
The minority government has a supply and confidence agreement with the New Democratic Party, ensuring its support in the budget and other fiscal measures as long as the Liberals advance key NDP priorities, including dental care and pharmaceutical care. It will be done.