As the federal government explores new applications for artificial intelligence, it is also being cautioned against its use in criminal justice, policy-making, and hiring.
Then-Treasury Board President Anita Anand announced in April that the government is drafting an AI strategy set for release this spring. Consultations held last fall gathered nearly 300 submissions from researchers, unions, Indigenous organizations, and other stakeholders on AI’s potential in public service.
A report published late last month highlighted key insights from these consultations. Some respondents suggested AI chatbots could enhance government communications by providing fast and accurate responses in both English and French. Others proposed using AI to monitor public health, the environment, and the economy, process social service applications, review legal documents, and detect fraudulent activities.
AI could also assist with administrative tasks such as document organization, managing email inboxes, and drafting responses to common inquiries. Additionally, some participants recommended using AI to analyze public sentiment on social media and collect feedback from consultations to support policy and program development.
The federal government has already been utilizing AI for decades in areas such as satellite imagery analysis and forecasting. It has also applied AI in predicting tax case outcomes and sorting temporary visa applications. Public Services and Procurement Canada is expanding its AI use to address a backlog in the Phoenix public service payroll system.
While AI is already aiding in public service recruitment, some respondents suggested it could further streamline processes by screening applications, scheduling interviews, and designing training programs. However, the report warned against deploying AI in sensitive areas such as criminal justice, surveillance, political decision-making, and determining social service eligibility. Concerns were also raised about AI’s role in hiring, promotion, and termination decisions for public servants.
The consultation report emphasized the need for AI training at all levels of public service.
Adegboyega Ojo, Canada Research Chair in Governance and Artificial Intelligence at Carleton University, stated that the AI applications listed in the report are “relatively safe.” He acknowledged that while AI should not drive policy-making, it could enhance evidence collection and policy impact analysis for marginalized communities. He also noted AI’s potential in social service eligibility assessments, provided human oversight is maintained.
Fenwick McKelvey, co-director of Concordia University’s Applied AI Institute, highlighted AI chatbots’ potential benefits for services like tax filing. He supported the report’s restrictions on AI use and advocated for further risk assessment to prevent biases. McKelvey emphasized that the government should not merely adopt existing AI tools but actively develop its own computer infrastructure.
Source: Swifteradio.com
