Canadian Businesses Sign AI Code of Conduct

Emmet McGonagle

Sep 28, 2023

Canadian technology companies including BlackBerry, OpenText and Coveo have signed Canada’s new voluntary code of conduct for generative AI, but not everyone is keen to support the voluntary code. 


Taking influence from the voluntary code introduced across
the US in July - which included signatures from companies including Google and Amazon - Global Affairs Canada’s trade commissioner for investment financial services and artificial intelligence Mark Pepin remarked that  the code identifies measures that organizations are encouraged to apply when developing and managing general-purpose generative AI systems.


Mark also noted that the Canadian government has “already taken significant measures” to ensure “AI technology evolves responsibly and safely”, such as the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), which was introduced as part of Bill C-27 in June 2022.


“This code is a critical bridge between now and when that legislation would be coming into force,” he continued. “As we embark on this journey, let's embrace these principles and work collaboratively, with organizations like CIFAR, AMII, Mila, and Vector, to ensure the responsible development and management of AI systems, making Canada a global leader in AI safety and innovation.”


However, Shopify’s CEO Tobias Lütke took to X (formerly Twitter)  to express his concerns regarding the future of AI in Canada, saying: “Canadian government is announcing a code of conduct on AI today, another case of EFRAID,” a reference to ‘Existential Fatalistic Risk from AI Delusion’ disease.


“I won’t support it,” he added. “We don’t need more referees in Canada. We need more builders. Let other countries regulate while we take the more courageous path and say ‘come build here’.”


Do you have a question about angel investing? Get in touch with Valhalla Private Capital via our
contact page

By Emmet McGonagle 01 Dec, 2023
Canada’s unemployment rate has trended higher once again this month, according to the latest iteration of Statistics Canada’s November labour force survey.
By Emmet McGonagle 29 Nov, 2023
More than half of workers believe that disclosing worker compensation details on job postings will lead to better equality in pay, according to the latest iteration of LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Index . The index - which is based on a survey of 3,302 members in Canada between June and September 2023 - found that 52% of people asked felt that people sharing their pay information (including salary and bonus) would improve workplace equality, compared to 48% in 2022. This number varies between different generations, with younger Canadians more likely to express support for pay transparency (73%), followed by 69% of Millennials, 46% of Gen X and 44% of Baby Boomers. However, 37% of those surveyed remarked that they felt anxious about sharing their pay information - a 2% rise from the year prior. Likewise, just under half (49%) said they felt well compensated for the work they do while 74% expressed that the pay gap between CEOs and employees had become too wide. The people of LinkedIn have come out in their dozens to give their two cents on the topic, with Adrienne Tom , executive resume writer for executives, saying: “ I'm all for salary transparency, so long as the number is clear and legit. Some postings list salary ranges so wide that the actual salary number isn't entirely clear, leaving job seekers confused.” “If you have a manager who is not advocating for the pay gap, you are working for the wrong manager,” remarked career strategist Sweta Regmi , while noting that women in Ontario earn an average of $0.87 for every dollar earned by men. On the topic, she added: “Salary ranges with job postings can help close the gender pay gap while allowing companies to find qualified candidates more quickly.” Do you have a question about angel investing? Get in touch with Valhalla Private Capital via our contact page .
Share by: