Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali announced on Friday the launch of the federal government’s inaugural public AI register, which outlines the utilization and testing of artificial intelligence across federal departments. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat disclosed that the register, currently comprising insights from 43 organizations, encompasses more than 400 AI systems under exploration, development, implementation, or deployment.
The register’s primary objective is to enhance organizational visibility into AI initiatives across the government, facilitating improved planning, reduction of redundancies, and identification of efficiency optimization opportunities. The initial version of the register provides details on the purpose, description, current or intended use, and development source of each AI system, with ongoing updates and refinements to be conducted by federal agencies.
This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strategy to integrate AI into federal operations to enhance public service efficiency. Recently, the government announced a pilot project involving an AI tool in six departments and agencies aimed at facilitating official language translations within the public service.
The latest federal budget unveiled plans for the establishment of an Office of Digital Transformation to scale technology solutions throughout the government, presenting a significant opportunity for local innovators. Additionally, 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 widespread government utilization.
Numerous departments and agencies have identified AI applications to streamline processes, reduce manual labor, and enhance service delivery efficiency. For instance, the Department of Justice plans to incorporate AI, advanced analytics, and automation tools for task optimization, while Transport Canada intends to leverage AI and automation to diminish costs associated with repetitive tasks.
Furthermore, the government proposed allocating $25 million over six years to Statistics Canada for the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Measurement Program (TechStat). This program aims to analyze AI adoption within organizations and assess its societal impact in Canada.