Artificial intelligence at SSC

Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely considered to be one of the most impactful and transformative technologies of our time. Shared Services Canada’s (SSC) approach to AI emphasizes responsible use, continuous learning, and collaboration with Government of Canada (GC) organizations and industry to explore and implement AI technologies.

Responsible use of AI

SSC is committed to ensuring the responsible use of AI in government through a suite of products, including the Guide on the use of generative artificial intelligence, the Directive on Automated Decision-Making and the Algorithmic Impact Assessment tool, which are guided by clear values, ethics and laws. We collaborated with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to develop the AI Strategy for the Federal Public Service 2025-2027, a vision to serve Canadians better through responsible AI adoption.

To realize the full potential of AI, SSC is committed to cultivating a culture of trust around AI within the GC. This means promoting AI technology that is leveraged ethically, lawfully and safely. SSC aims to build trust by focusing on a human-centric approach and through transparency and accountability.

Canadian-trained large language models (LLMs)

The GC is investing in Canadian-trained large language models (LLMs) to ensure AI tools reflect Canadian context, values and priorities. These models are hosted on secure cloud services from GC-approved providers.

This approach supports digital sovereignty and ensures that outputs from generative AI tools are accurate and culturally relevant (like recognizing that Parliament is in Ottawa or that the tax deadline is April 30).

SSC’s GC LLM is already powering tools like CANChat, a generative AI chatbot designed to enhance public servant productivity. By prioritizing Canadian-trained models, the GC reduces reliance on foreign technologies and strengthens its ability to have self-determination and control of its data and to promote secure, unbiased AI services.

Benefits for the GC

By implementing AI strategically and ethically, the GC can:

• realize operational efficiencies
• provide better services to the public
• stimulate innovation
• increase administrative efficiency
• improve decision making
• enhance service delivery