The Canadian government has announced the launch of the National AI Literacy Initiative, aimed at helping Canadians understand the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and use the technology safely and responsibly as it continues to expand rapidly across everyday life and the workplace.
Minister of Artificial Intelligence Evan Solomon said education is essential to helping Canadians keep pace with technological change, emphasizing the importance of developing technologies that put people and their needs first.
$13 Million for Free Online Courses
The Canadian government has allocated C$13 million to launch three free online courses in partnership with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII).
Each course will take approximately three hours to complete and will be available online for self-paced learning, without the need for an instructor.
Two courses designed specifically for teachers and post-secondary students are scheduled to launch on September 21, while the course intended for all Canadians is expected to become available before the end of this year.
Promoting Responsible AI Use
The initiative aims to provide participants with essential knowledge to help them use artificial intelligence tools with confidence, understand their capabilities and limitations, and make informed decisions about their use in everyday life, education and the workplace.
The general course will be available through the federal government’s Job Bank platform, as well as through a number of community partners that will be announced at a later date.
The initiative is part of Canada’s broader efforts to strengthen digital skills and AI literacy, helping Canadians benefit from emerging technologies while understanding the risks and responsibilities associated with their use.
