The group consists of artificial intelligence researchers and academics like Yoshua Bengio, Catherine Régis and Graham Taylor, CEOs of technology companies like Sam Ramadori (Brainbox) and Frantz Santellemy (LeddarTech), and leaders of related organizations using AI like Julien Billot scaling AI. It is a logical continuation of the call launched on March 29 by around 20,000 experts to call for a six-month global moratorium on AI development. This call also called on policymakers to establish AI governance.

“There is no doubt that AI offers great potential for economic growth and societal opportunity, including addressing some of the most pressing health and environmental challenges of our time.” While these developments are impressive, it is important to recognize that AI systems face risks bergen that need to be taken seriously and addressed quickly. »

A long process

Bill C-27, tabled by the Trudeau government in June 2022 and subject to a standoff with the Conservative opposition delaying its adoption, is an “excellent” measure in that sense, said Yoshua Bengio, who helped in an interview to write the open letter. “We would certainly be ahead of other countries. There are things that could be improved […], but there is urgent need for action, because there are fairly rapid advances in AI. »

The researcher wants Bill C-27 and its third part, called the “Artificial Intelligence and Data Act”, which is intended in particular to prevent the reckless use of this technology, to be passed before the end of the parliamentary session in mid-June. A year after its submission, the bill is only in its second reading.

Mr. Bengio reminds that a wide consultation will then be carried out before finalizing the exact wording of this law. “We need to start the process immediately, which will take some time. What I asked the Minister is that we are increasing the pace. The two-year consultation process was the original plan before ChatGPT came along. He suggests that certain aspects could be regulated by regulations once the law has been passed. “Technology is evolving fast, while laws are difficult to change. »

Adopting an AI framework would have economic benefits, the signatories to the letter point out. “If Canada were to be one of the first countries to pass its legislation, it would send a strong signal to companies around the world that they can and should look to Canada and Canadian companies when developing or acquiring trustworthy and responsible AI want respect for human rights and protection of the welfare of users. »