After bringing together humanities and social sciences AI experts for a consultation with the federal government’s AI Strategy Task Force on October 20, the Federation submitted the following on October 31.
Written submission to the AI Task Force consultations: Research and talent
The Federation is encouraged by the federal government’s AI Task Force public consultations on AI. We were glad to assist the Task Force by convening a virtual consultation on October 20 with humanities and social science (HSS) experts in AI, which Dr. Gail Murphy was able to attend. The virtual consultation featured 12 HSS experts who offered their critical insights on an AI strategy for research and talent in Canada.
This brief provides additional support for the recommendations that HSS experts offered on an AI strategy for research and talent. As AI continues to evolve and strategies adapt, we strongly recommend that these consultations and discussions continue to ensure that these complex considerations are completely and in-depth evaluated by all parties impacted by the rise of AI technologies beyond this initial sprint consultation.
The Federation is a national non-profit organization that represents HSS associations and scholars nationwide. Based on consultation with our community, we know that Canada has a wealth of HSS expertise in AI that is underutilized. Therefore:
To position Canada as a global leader in responsible and human-centered artificial intelligence, the Federation recommends that 30 percent of all current and new federal investments in AI be dedicated to supporting HSS researchers and talent.
Canada’s ambition to lead in AI must be matched by investments that reflect the full spectrum of expertise needed to shape it responsibly. To secure Canada’s sustainable AI future, we must leverage our HSS expertise and invest in its capacity to guide innovation, governance, and public trust.
The state of Canadian AI: A lack of human-centered research and development
Until now, the advancement of AI has been primarily driven by tech companies in the private sector, some of which have close contact with university-based researchers. This has produced rapid innovation but with limited attention to the ethical, social, cultural, and environmental considerations essential to responsible use. For example, recent research by the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy shows how the unregulated use of facial recognition technologies in Canada has exposed major governance and equity gaps. These tools have been adopted through opaque procurement processes that undermine privacy, disproportionately harm racialized communities, and erode public trust.
A sustainable AI future requires a deliberate recentering of people and communities in technology development, an area where the HSS offer proven expertise. The HSS advance human-centered approaches that engage the people and communities most directly impacted by the rise of AI, placing ethical and humanistic approaches to technology at the forefront of its development and adaptation.
Without dedicated investments and support for HSS AI experts, Canada’s adoption of AI technologies will be undermined, and the expected benefits will dissipate.
Investing in Canada’s AI future: HSS talent
According to recent Statistics Canada data, HSS programs accounted for over 50% of post-secondary enrollments in the 2021-2022 school year. The HSS, therefore, account for a large portion of Canada’s post-secondary domestic workforce and talent. In these programs, students develop critical competencies — such as adaptability, communication, and social skills — that are becoming increasingly desirable in the tech world. Recent research from the Future Skills Centre affirms that Canada’s AI workforce needs a stronger blend of technical and human-centered expertise.
However, current investment patterns disproportionately favour technical AI training and overlook how to integrate HSS human-centered expertise. Targeted investment in HSS-based AI education and applied research will enable scholars to contribute their human-centered expertise to the design, governance, and implementation of AI technologies. Building these skills across Canada’s largest post-secondary talent base will strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem and ensure AI development reflects Canadian values and priorities.
Some programs and projects are already demonstrating the value of HSS-integrated AI:
- The AI + Society Initiative at the University of Ottawa unites scholars in law, ethics, and policy to analyze the societal implications of artificial intelligence.
- The Observatoire international sur les impacts sociétaux de l’IA et du numérique (OBVIA) at Université Laval brings together more than 250 researchers from the humanities, social sciences, and STEM to study the ethical, cultural, and labour impacts of AI.
- The Institute for Work & Health’s “Partnership on AI and Quality of Work (PAIQ)” connects social scientists, labour experts, and policymakers to study how AI is transforming job quality and worker well-being.
In addition to national investment opportunities, the HSS offer unique international collaboration opportunities to position Canada as a global leader in human-centered, sustainable AI. For example, programs like the UKRI and SSHRC’s AI Sandpit and Horizon Europe pave the way for Canada’s global leadership.
Still, most HSS scholars currently lack access to dedicated funding streams that would enable meaningful collaboration. Expanding funding and training opportunities for applied HSS research across Canada would unlock the next generation of AI-literate HSS talent to guide responsible innovation.
These national and international opportunities must be seized now. They cannot move forward without dedicated funding to support the researchers and scholars who are already making strides in their fields. With a target of 30%, the HSS can flourish and drive Canada’s AI industry toward a human-centered, innovative future that benefits all Canadians.
The Federation and its community of HSS experts stand ready to work with the federal government to shape an AI future that reflects Canada’s values and strengthens public trust in innovation.