Canada appoints first AI minister

Just six years after the world’s first-ever Minister for Artificial Intelligence (AI) was appointed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Canada joins the ranks of countries looking to appoint a minister specifically to look after the development of the country’s AI strategy.

Evan Solomon was appointed as the minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation last Tuesday, May 13, by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who announced an extensive cabinet reshuffle the same day. 

Solomon’s appointment follows the creation of a new AI ministry by Carney.

Like Canada, other countries have acknowledged the need for a more specialised portfolio to maximise the use of AI and to increase innovation within the government.

Earlier this month, Germany has also set up a new digital ministry to increase adoption of AI and strengthen digital sovereignty. 

Apart from the AI portfolio, Solomon was also appointed Minister for Southern Ontario’s regional development agency. With him holding a full cabinet post, it is clear Canada intends to push for greater use of AI for economic growth.

Prior to his current appointment, Solomon was a political journalist.

Why this matters

AI previously fell under the jurisdiction of broader innovation, or industry portfolios, now helmed by former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly.

However, by forming a new portfolio, Canada strategically signals its efforts to rebuild the economy, and intention to promote digital innovation in a more robust manner.

Canada has long been at the forefront of AI research, with Geoffrey Hinton – founder of the Vector Institute and known as the “godfather of AI” - having clinched the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics.

His research, and that of other Canadian scientists, would later form the basis of machine learning (ML) technology we see today, such as ChatGPT which launched in 2022.

Yet, according to a report by Deloitte, only 26 per cent of Canadian organisations have implemented AI, a stark contrast to the global average of 34 per cent.

According to msn, critics argue that Canada has lagged in widespread adoption and commercialisation of technology. 

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Implementing AI

Accelerating the use of AI in Canada was not just about increasing its productivity.

CBC reported plans by the government to rapidly build data centres, incentivise AI adoption by small and medium enterprises through tax credit, and expand related programmes at Canada’s AI institutes.

Prime Minister Carney also vowed to use AI to increase government efficiency through a dedicated office of digital transformation, and to build up AI capacity in the labour market.