Feds ask for citizens’ input on AI use in public sector

Author Sharlene Gandhi

The federal government is asking Canadians to share their perspectives on how AI is applied in the public sector – and if any uses should be banned. 

In the fourth review of the Directive on Automated Decision-Making, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) is asking the public for advice on embedding human rights into the directive, assessing impacts on people with disabilities, and proposed bans of AI in public use. 

The Directive governs the use of AI in the public sector. 

This includes eligibility for permits, benefits and entry into Canada, as well as hiring practices in the public service. 

It is separate from the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act, which is due to come into force in 2025, and applies to private and all other non-public institutions. 

The Directive needs to be reviewed every two years, and the fourth round of consultations is open to the public until Jan. 8, 2025. 

One of the TBS’ proposed changes is to remove organizations within the public service that have so far been excluded from the Directive, including the offices of the Auditor General, the Commissioner of Lobbying, and the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. 

Crucially, as part of this public consultation, the TBS is proposing to codify banned uses of artificial intelligence in the public sector. This follows the European Union’s AI Act, which does not allow AI use in social classification systems and predictive policing tools. 

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  • Sharlene Gandhi is the Future of Good editorial fellow on digital transformation.

    Sharlene has been reporting on responsible business, environmental sustainability and technology in the UK and Canada since 2018. She has worked with various organizations during this time, including the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business at Lancaster University, AIGA Eye on Design, Social Enterprise UK and Nature is a Human Right. Sharlene moved to Toronto in early 2023 to join the Future of Good team, where she has been reporting at the intersections of technology, data and social purpose work. Her reporting has spanned several subject areas, including AI policy, cybersecurity, ethical data collection, and technology partnerships between the private, public and third sectors.

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