Montréal, November 12, 2024 – Mila, Quebec Institute of Artificial Intelligence, is proud to have welcomed the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, to its offices today for the official announcement of the launch of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI).
This major initiative, backed by a $2.4 billion investment announced in the 2024 federal budget, represents a significant step in Canada’s dedication to the responsible and secure development and implementation of artificial intelligence.
The Institute will leverage existing expertise at the National Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Canada’s three national AI institutes—Amii in Edmonton, Mila in Montréal and the Vector Institute in Toronto—and engage the broader Canadian research and business community in undertaking projects to assess risks, test systems and develop guidance on addressing the risks.
CAISI will conduct research under two streams:
- Applied and investigator-led research will be funded through a contribution agreement with the global Canada-based research organization, CIFAR, enabling Canadian and international experts to explore critical AI safety questions.
- Government-directed projects will be implemented by the National Research Council of Canada, focusing on AI projects that address direct government priorities like cybersecurity or those involving other international AI safety institutes.
Mila at the forefront of safety and responsible use of AI
Today at Mila, more than 30 professors and 50 researchers work at the intersection of trust, security, and artificial intelligence, actively contributing to the advancement of research and practices in these areas. Mila has been working for several years with international organizations such as the United Nations and the OECD to establish common reference frameworks on these issues that are priorities for our time. Since the last year's AI safety Summit, Mila’s Scientific Director Yoshua Bengio has led the very first International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI.
Amid rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and increasingly complex security challenges, the Government of Canada is showing leadership by investing in the establishment of this specialized institute.
Quotes
“The Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute will propel the country to the forefront of global efforts to responsibly use AI, and will be a key player in building public confidence in these technologies. The Institute’s work will encourage businesses and researchers to adopt AI, which will significantly fuel innovation and boost the country’s economic productivity and growth." – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Given the rapid development of advanced AI models, substantial investments in AI security research are vital. In particular, effective security guarantees for these models must be developed, both to mitigate risks and to reap the social and economic benefits of AI. The establishment of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute is a significant step forward, highlighting Canada’s ongoing commitment to responsible AI development." – Yoshua Bengio, Full Professor at the Université de Montréal, Founder and Scientific Director of Mila - Quebec Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Chair in AI Canada – CIFAR
“The announcement of the launch of work at the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute is a key step toward fostering greater understanding and trust in AI systems. Many Mila researchers are already addressing these issues, and we are very pleased to contribute to the Institute’s efforts. Mila has also been collaborating with leading international organizations on AI security for several years. Canada’s leadership in launching this Institute is excellent news for the future." – Valérie Pisano, President and CEO of Mila
To see the Government's announcement
