Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving at an unprecedented pace, transforming various sectors, including healthcare, education, and the workplace. The current discussion has shifted from what AI can achieve to the purposes it should serve. While some view AI as a potential threat to jobs, privacy, and interpersonal relationships, others see it as a source of limitless opportunities. Both perspectives hold merit. Finding a balance between enthusiasm and caution is essential for Canada to lead in developing AI that promotes human well-being.

Like previous transformative technologies, AI is altering the skills needed to navigate modern life and reshaping work structures. The rise of social media has shown that technology without ethical considerations can exacerbate societal issues. The challenge now is to avoid rushing ahead without careful thought. Although the market often rewards speed, society places a higher value on trust.

Canadians are encouraged to apply their principles of foresight and thoroughness in establishing essential guidelines for AI development. The 2008 financial crisis highlighted the global recognition of Canada’s banking sector for its prudence. Today, these same values can position Canada as a leader in responsible AI governance.

At Ontario Tech University, the commitment to "tech with a conscience" is taken seriously. For over 20 years, faculty, staff, and students have focused on ensuring that technology benefits humanity. For instance, researchers are utilizing AI to assess the likelihood of Type 2 diabetes through vocal changes. A partnership with Lakeridge Health aims to enhance sepsis diagnosis. These initiatives underscore the potential for creating AI systems rooted in an ethics-by-design framework, which can advance human welfare while meeting public expectations for ethical standards.

An ethics-by-design approach does not hinder progress; rather, it fortifies it. It involves addressing privacy, data management, and bias directly. Safeguarding privacy is crucial for maintaining dignity and freedom. Bias can infiltrate algorithms, but through continuous learning, AI can be developed to identify and mitigate it. Ensuring data protection and reducing bias is not only ethical but also beneficial for business, as it fosters public trust and restores a sense of agency in an unpredictable environment.

Canada's unique situation, especially in relation to the United States, has prompted a reevaluation of industrial strategies across various sectors, including energy, mining, manufacturing, infrastructure, banking, and technology. As development progresses, it is vital to do so responsibly and with integrity. Just as shortcuts are unacceptable in constructing bridges or MRI machines, the same principle applies to AI.

Canada's values can serve as a competitive advantage in a landscape marked by either stringent regulation or unregulated innovation. The country has the opportunity to carve out a middle ground that encourages creativity while ensuring that AI serves the public interest rather than merely profit. Learning from the European Union's regulatory framework can help avoid stifling innovation, while also taking lessons from the rapid pace of development in the United States without replicating its pitfalls.

AI should be harnessed for the greater good, aligning technological advancements with meaningful objectives: enhancing human capabilities, strengthening communities, and safeguarding the environment. Canada can emerge as a global leader in responsible AI by prioritizing purpose over speed. The nation’s core values can guide the fourth industrial revolution toward benefiting society as a whole.