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The Canadian government has unveiled a new plan to pump $2.4 billion into artificial intelligence (AI) development and research over the next few years. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the funding package. The government aims to advance Canada’s capabilities in AI and realize the full economic potential of the technology.
Most of the investment, $2 billion, will be used to boost high-performance computing infrastructure and resources. It can be used by Canadian AI researchers and startups. Currently, many rely on cloud services owned by foreign companies outside the country’s borders.
The new Sovereign Compute Strategy will seek to build secure, domestic computing capabilities that keep citizens’ data in Canada. According to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, this approach can improve national security by preventing foreign access to data.
Canada’s massive AI funding to drive innovation and safety
In addition to improved computing, $200 million will go to regional agencies to support the growth of early-stage AI companies in key industries. Healthcare, agriculture, clean tech, and manufacturing are just a few of the sectors that will benefit from incentivized AI integration. The goal is to foster homegrown innovation and ensure that economic opportunity extends to all regions.
Recognizing the rapid progress of generative AI, the government has committed $50 million to a new Safety Institute. Its researchers will work to proactively address potential downsides such as unintended biases, privacy violations, or dangerous applications. Another $5.1 million has been set aside to create an Office of the AI Commissioner to provide guidance, oversight, and accountability.
The bill has been in committee since September 2023, according to Trudeau. “We want to help companies adopt AI in a way that has a positive impact for everyone,” he explains. By funding this initiative, Canada is positioning itself to be a leader in the rapidly evolving AI industry.
Other major countries that are developing regulations around AI technology include the United States and China. However, all of these regulations remain speculative. AI technology is evolving rapidly, so it’s not surprising that it’s taking a long time to develop appropriate laws.
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