The Future of AI Council Launches As AI Comes Under Global Scrutiny

Ottawa — November 20, 2023 —The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has launched its newest council, the Future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) — a 30-member forum representing a diverse cross-section of organizations from across the country, including Council Co-Chairs Amazon and SAP Canada. The Council will play a leading role in advocating for government policies that establish AI as a positive economic force through the responsible development, deployment and ethical use of AI in business.

It could not be a more opportune time to inaugurate the Future of AI Council, and I am excited to be heading up such a crucial initiative. As AI continues to evolve, it will profoundly affect how people live, work, and interact, which is why the responsible integration of AI into our economy and society is a complex issue that requires a thorough understanding of AI’s risks and benefits.

Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, Council Lead and Senior Director of Digital Economy, Technology and Innovation at the Canadian Chamber

The Future of AI Council supports government policies that establish AI as a positive economic driver, while also acknowledging the need for policies that consider the potential of risk. At the top of the agenda for the Future of AI Council is Bill C-27’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), which the House of Commons is currently studying. During its inaugural meeting on November 6, the Council determined that AIDA would be a core focus of its advocacy until the Act receives royal assent.

Recent advances in generative AI have provided the world with a glimpse of the new opportunities AI will create, but the full potential of the technology has yet to be unlocked. Our focus as a Council is to foster collaboration between industry government to support the safe, secure, and responsible development and use of AI technology.

Joanne Pitkin, Council Co-Chair and Senior Manager, Digital Policy at Amazon Canada

Canada has a world-leading AI sector.

There is a need to highlight in public discourse the significant AI innovations and advantages that organizations operating in Canada are already developing and the role these technologies will play in Canada’s competitiveness, productivity and economic growth.

Yana Lukasheh, Council Co-Chair and Vice President, Government Affairs and Business Development, Canada at SAP Canada

The Future of AI Council will next convene in Ottawa on November 22 for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Artificial Intelligence Executive Summit. Information on the summit can be found here.

Members of the Future of AI Council

SAP Canada (Co-Chair)
Amazon (Co-Chair)
AltaML
Armilla AI
Arteria AI
BlackBerry
Brainbox.AI
Cohere
Contextere
Daisy Intelligence
Deeplite
Distributive
ESGai Technologies
Experience AI Solutions
Fairly AI
Forma.ai
Geotab
Google
INQ.Law
Invision AI
Lighthouse Labs
LXT.ai
Meta
Microsoft
Roche
Scotiabank
Symend
University of Alberta (U of A)
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Vooban

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce — The Future of Business Success

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s largest and most activated business network — representing over 400 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and more than 200,000 business of all sizes, from all sectors of the economy and from every part of the country — to create the conditions for our collective success. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the undisputed champion and catalyst for the future of business success. From working with government on economy-friendly policy to providing services that inform commerce and enable trade, we give each of our members more of what they need to succeed: insight into markets, competitors and trends, influence over the decisions and policies that drive business success and impact on business and economic performance. 

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Contact

Karl Oczkowski
Senior Director, Corporate Communications and PR
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
613.238.4000 (2231)
koczkowski@chamber.ca