Prime Minister Mark Carney made significant changes to his cabinet on Tuesday, including the creation of a new ministry for artificial intelligence (AI). Former journalist Evan Solomon was appointed as the minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation. Solomon, elected for the first time in the April 28 election in Toronto Centre, previously worked as a TV host for CBC and CTV.
AI was previously overseen under the industry portfolio, now led by former foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly. The previous government introduced an AI regulation bill targeting high-impact AI systems, but it did not become law before the election was called.
During the campaign, Carney emphasized AI’s economic potential, promising investments in AI training, adoption, and commercialization. His platform also included building data centers, offering tax incentives for AI adoption by small and medium-sized businesses, and expanding programs at Canada’s AI institutes. The government also committed to retaining Canadian intellectual property.
Despite Canada’s strengths in AI research, critics have long argued that the country has been slow to commercialize AI technology and retain intellectual property. Carney also pledged to use AI for government efficiency through a dedicated office of digital transformation and to build AI capacity in the labor market.
The spring election largely avoided discussions on regulating emerging AI technologies, though the Liberal platform included a promise to criminalize the distribution of non-consensual sexual deepfakes.
Source: Swifteradio.com
