With the rise of artificial intelligence in Canada and globally, the Canadian government is taking steps to ensure that Canadians have a clear understanding of AI, its capabilities, and its implications.
In an effort to achieve this goal, the government has introduced the National AI Literacy Initiative. This initiative aims to offer a free online course to post-secondary students, K-12 educators, and the general public to educate them on the fundamentals of AI.
During the launch event in Edmonton, Minister of Artificial Intelligence Evan Solomon emphasized the importance of education in navigating change and innovation. He outlined the government’s commitment to investing in students, teachers, and the overall education and literacy of Canadians as part of their AI strategy.
The government has allocated $13 million in funding to collaborate with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII) to develop and expand three free courses accessible to all Canadians. Participants can progress through the course modules at their own pace, with the post-secondary student course estimated to take around three hours to complete. These courses are self-paced and do not require an instructor.
The initial two courses are tailored for educators and post-secondary students and are set to be available to educational institutions by September 21. The course intended for the general public will follow shortly after, before the end of the year.
These educational opportunities aim to empower Canadians to use AI effectively, question its use when necessary, and make informed decisions about its role in their lives. The courses focus on responsible utilization of AI and building essential skills, providing practical training and resources for educators and foundational AI knowledge for post-secondary students.
The third course, “Essentials for Canadians,” will be accessible through Employment and Social Development Canada’s Job Bank and through community partners yet to be announced. Minister Solomon highlighted Canada’s role in advancing AI technology and emphasized the importance of equipping Canadians with the knowledge and confidence to shape the future of AI.