Canada's AI Strategy Raises Questions Over Secret Foreign Deals

Canada's government has released a strategy to boost AI adoption, aiming for 60% of businesses to use AI by 2034. The strategy, titled 'AI for All,' positions the government as the 'strategic anchor customer' for Canadian AI. However, a recent investigation has revealed that the government has already spent millions on AI systems from a US-based company, Palantir.

The contract between the Department of National Defence and Palantir's Canadian arm was signed in March 2020, starting at $14.4 million. The value had climbed to $44.4 million by last October, with $46.8 million actually spent. However, the deal was not disclosed until a Conservative MP pressed the government on AI spending.

The Ontario Provincial Police have been using Palantir's Gotham platform since 2015, which is a data-fusion and decision-support system. This raises questions over the government's commitment to sovereign AI, as the strategy emphasizes the need for Canada to own and develop its own AI systems.

Critics argue that the government's actions contradict its commitment to transparency and sovereign AI. They argue that the government should prioritize buying from Canadian businesses and developing its own AI systems, rather than relying on foreign vendors.

The government's AI strategy has sparked debate over the role of AI in Canada's economy and the need for transparency in government spending. As the government continues to implement its strategy, it will be important to monitor its actions and ensure that they align with its commitments to sovereign AI and transparency.