The Federation's written submission to the Government of Canada's Consultation on AI Transparency
The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences (the Federation) is encouraged by the federal government's continued engagement on Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy. We welcome the recognition of the vital role researchers and the post-secondary sector play in implementing the AI for All strategy. The Federation stands ready to support the federal government in advancing responsible AI.
The Federation is a national non-profit organization that promotes scholarship and leadership in the humanities and social sciences (HSS). Our membership spans 76 postsecondary institutions and 66 scholarly associations, representing a diverse community of over 90,000 researchers and graduate students across Canada. Based on consultation with our community, we know that Canada has a wealth of HSS expertise in AI that is underutilized.
The Federation recommends that the Government of Canada utilize established humanities and social science expertise to advance sustainable policies to build trust and transparency into AI systems.
To accomplish this goal, we recommend that 30% of all new and existing research funding allocated through the AI for All strategy be dedicated to supporting knowledge creation and dissemination in the HSS.
Advancing AI Literacy and Transparency
Across Canada, HSS experts are already developing frameworks and responsible approaches to AI governance and policymaking. These experts, operating at Federation member institutions and AI networks across the country, are providing critical insights into AI impacts and promoting ethical, transparent, and sustainable approaches to these technologies and the policies that regulate them.
The Federation welcomes the investments outlined in the AI for All strategy for the CIFAR AI Chair program. We encourage the government to continue investing in this important program and to ensure proportional HSS representation within this or other such programs that help recruit and retain talent that will advance Canada’s achievements in AI and its deployment.
In addition, we would take this opportunity to highlight the following examples of contributions Canada’s HSS researchers are making to the advancement of AI policy in Canada:
1. Observatoire international sur les impacts sociétaux de l’IA et du numérique (OBVIA), is an interuniversity network that promotes and conducts interdisciplinary research centering humans in technological development.
- Current HSS-led initiatives include a project that aims to raise citizens’ awareness of ethical issues associated with the use of AI and digital technology in politics. Led by Dr. Sébastien Tremblay at Université Laval, this project will provide insights into the impact of AI and digital technologies on politics and how citizens understand and interact with these technologies.
2. The Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute (MILA) leads cross-sectoral AI research, using evidence-based research to develop policies and governance advice on AI technologies. The AI Policy Fellowship program at MILA brings together experts on AI across sectors, including the HSS, to address the most pressing challenges facing Canada and the world today.
- MILA currently runs an AI Insights for Policymakers Program, providing a platform for policymakers and scientists to have timely and meaningful interactions to inform their thinking on AI and policy. The co-chairs of this program, Dr. Alissa Centivany (Assistant Professor in Information and Media Studies at Western University) and Dr. Kevin Leyton-Brown (Professor of Economics at the University of British Columbia), lead this expert group to provide targeted socio-technical advice to policymakers at all levels of government. This group remains a key lever and connection for policymakers to engage with leading AI experts.
3. The AI + Society Initiative within the Centre for Law, Technology & Society at the University of Ottawa focuses research on ethical AI development and the impacts of AI on marginalized groups.
- The AI + Society Initiative recently published a policy brief titled Governing with AI: A New AI implementation blueprint for policymakers. This brief offers clear, actionable insights for policymakers to successfully integrate AI into government activities, directly offering support to governments to harness the full potential of these technologies.
By harnessing the HSS expertise already present in these networks, the Government of Canada can quickly develop sustainable and adaptive policies to increase literacy, transparency, and trust within AI technologies. This dissemination and mobilization of research into actionable policy requires additional support through the AI for All strategy to better support and mobilize HSS expertise.
Building a transparent AI future
Humanities and social sciences expertise is essential to a transparent AI future that earns public trust and remains accountable to the communities it affects.
The Federation is encouraged by the Government of Canada's continued consultation as implementation of AI for All moves forward and remains ready to assist the government in establishing responsible AI governance mechanisms to promote a prosperous and sustainable future for all.