By Canadian Press

Groups call for more careful consideration of artificial intelligence measures

Sep 25, 2023 | 2:26 PM

OTTAWA — Dozens of civil society organizations, experts and academics are calling on the Liberal government to remove proposed measures on artificial intelligence from a federal privacy bill, saying they must be considered separately. 

The Liberals introduced privacy legislation last year to give Canadians more control over how their personal data is used by commercial entities, impose fines for non-compliant organizations and introduce new rules for the use of artificial intelligence.

The groups and experts say in an open letter to Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne that the artificial intelligence section of the bill fails to protect the rights and freedoms of people from the risks of AI.

They say Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada should not be the primary or sole drafter of a bill with broad human rights, labour and cultural effects. 

The letter says that if the artificial intelligence section of the bill is withdrawn, regulatory efforts to address AI could still proceed and be in place by 2025.

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Meantime, the letter adds, MPs would have appropriate time to focus on the remainder of the bill, which raises significant concerns for privacy rights in Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2023.

The Canadian Press