New Government of Canada guide on the use of generative artificial intelligence

September 12, 2023 - Defence Stories

The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) recently released the Guide on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The guide provides an overview of how AI can or cannot be used by federal institutions and identifies best practices along with the risks and benefits of using generative artificial intelligence tools in day-to-day activities to ensure the technology is being used responsibly and appropriately.

As AI continues to expand and be implemented in our everyday personal and professional lives, all Defence Team members are encouraged to read the guide and familiarize themselves with how this cutting-edge technology should – or should not - be applied. While this guide will serve as an overarching guidance for all federal departments, a DND/CAF-specific guide aligned to TBS guidance is currently being developed and will be communicated as soon as possible.

The use of AI offers a lot of promise in improving the efficiency of service delivery in government, but there are also risks. For that reason, it’s critical that the use of AI be governed with clear values, ethics, and rules.

In recent years, the Government of Canada has invested in the Canadian AI ecosystem, and it is now time for Canadians to see the benefits of these investments. In turn this will enable Defence Team members to responsibly use these tools to provide enhanced government services while delivering on our mandate.

Stay tuned and continue to follow the steps Defence is taking as the transition towards greater digital government continues.

For more information, including guidance on specific uses of generative AI, contact the Digital Transformation Office (DTO) at +Policy DASI - Politiques DASI@ADM(DIA)@Ottawa-Hull.