Building trust in AI with strong policies and cooperation between public and private sectors

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing our world in so many ways. It has the power to improve how we live and work, but it also has the potential to invade privacy, reinforce biases or harm vulnerable groups. The theme of responsible AI was the focus of a roundtable discussion hosted by Communitech on Thursday, where there was a call for policies and cooperation between tech leaders and government to ensure AI and cybersecurity tools are used ethically to protect data and keep people safe.

“Our government is committed to supporting the responsible development of AI that advances Ontario’s economy while safeguarding our citizens. Communitech exemplifies how innovation can be pursued in a way that is responsible, transparent and ethical. In the Kitchener-Waterloo area, we are working across private and public sectors to cement Ontario as a global leader in trustworthy AI solutions,” said Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.

Minister McCarthy visited Communitech for the discussion and a tour with local officials and tech founders. He was joined by Brian Riddell, Parliamentary Assistant for the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, Mike Harris, Minister of Red Tape Reduction, and Berry Vrbanovic, City of Kitchener Mayor.

Minister McCarthy shared an update on Bill 194, Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, 2024. The proposed legislation, introduced in May 2024, aims to improve digital security and build trust in broader public sector organizations, including those covered by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, children’s aid societies and school boards.

Bill 194 requires broader public sector organizations to develop and follow strong cybersecurity programs, which will be guided by new regulations and technical standards. It also sets out clear reporting requirements to keep systems secure. The proposed legislation also addresses the use of AI by requiring Ontario public services and broader public sectors to use accountability frameworks to handle risks and ensure transparency about their use of AI. The roundtable considered how tech leaders in cybersecurity and AI can collaborate with the government to support initiatives like those in Bill 194.

The group acknowledged that cyberattacks have become a new battleground in today’s digital world. These threats have the potential to disrupt critical infrastructure, such as electricity grids and water systems, posing serious risks, especially for small and mid-sized municipalities. One founder discussed the challenges facing public sector clients that make it difficult to implement adequate cybersecurity measures. He suggested streamlining regulations across the country to address these issues and said there’s an opportunity to communicate the advantages of collaboration between broader public sector organizations and governments. Founders also called for policies to improve security from the ground up and incentives to keep tech talent in Ontario and Canada.

The roundtable touched on key themes from the Good AI program at Communitech, which was created to help founders understand the importance of ethical AI and adopt a “by design” approach that embeds ethical AI at the start of product development. Overall, while tech leaders and officials acknowledged the drive to rapidly adopt new technologies, it stressed the importance of doing so responsibly to protect sensitive data and keep people safe.