June 5, 2026 – Obvia welcomes the unveiling of Canada’s new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, which builds on the initiatives undertaken over the past year to define national priorities for AI.
The strategy presents a balanced and coherent vision built on three complementary pillars: strengthening economic prosperity, asserting Canada’s autonomy within the global AI ecosystem, and implementing concrete measures to accelerate the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across the country.
« We are enthusiastic about this strategy. It is an economic approach, a sovereign approach and an operational approach that puts resources at the disposal of the relevant stakeholders. »
-Tania Saba, Interim Executive Director of Obvia
Several of the priorities advocated by Obvia during the government consultation that preceded the publication of the strategy are reflected in it, including the importance placed on trust, skills and responsible governance, as well as on the development of appropriate norms, standards and mechanisms to achieve these objectives.
Building Public Trust for the Responsible Adoption of AI
Although Canada is among the world leaders in AI research and development, its level of adoption in practice remains low, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. This lag is due in part to a low level of public trust in the technology among Canadians.
In this context, Obvia is particularly pleased to see this issue placed at the heart of the new strategy. By recognizing that the sustainable adoption of AI depends on the trust of citizens, workers, organizations and institutions, the government is establishing an essential foundation for the success of its digital transformation. The strategy thus combines measures to support adoption with safeguards, enabling Canada to fully harness the potential of AI while preserving democratic values and the common good.
Developing Human Capital and AI Literacy
Obvia emphasizes the importance placed on developing human capital, digital literacy and AI literacy. By fostering the acquisition of skills at all levels of society, the strategy recognizes that the ability of individuals and organizations to use AI in an informed, critical and responsible manner is a key factor in its success.
Obvia also welcomes measures aimed at protecting citizens, democratic institutions, culture and official languages in a context of rapid digital transformation. The attention given to accessibility, Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus), reducing digital divides and taking underrepresented populations into account contributes to fostering a fair and equitable transition and ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared across society.
A Vision Focused on the Public Interest
Obvia welcomes Canada’s ambition to play a leading role in international partnerships and standardization efforts that will help shape the future of AI. The development of common governance and disclosure frameworks is an important condition for fostering the responsible adoption of AI worldwide.
As the implementation of this strategy begins, Obvia reiterates its willingness to collaborate with governments, public-sector organizations, businesses and civil society to contribute to its success. The Observatory intends, in particular, to continue its work to strengthen the integration of the social sciences and humanities into AI governance, support structured and democratic citizen participation, better account for environmental considerations and the principles of digital sufficiency, and develop indicators to assess the impacts of AI on work, skills, inclusion, culture, official languages and social cohesion.
« The challenge now is to implement these broad directions and, above all, to put in place the means to measure their impact. The government must not delay in measuring the impacts and outcomes, because experimentation—and course correction—will undoubtedly be necessary. That is the most urgent task. »
-Tania Saba, Interim Executive Director of Obvia
This strategy represents an important step forward for Canada. By placing skills, trust-building standards and responsible governance at the heart of its approach, it creates favourable conditions for AI to serve collective prosperity.
About Obvia
Obvia—the International Observatory on the Societal Impacts of AI and Digital Technology—is an interuniversity research network supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec. Its mission is to anticipate, analyze and support the societal transformations brought about by AI and digital technologies from a perspective of responsibility, inclusiveness and the common good. In collaboration with public-sector stakeholders, industry, developers and civil society, Obvia’s research community produces open knowledge and supports the development of individual and collective capabilities.
Media inquiries
communications@obvia.ca
