Spreadsheets for Are Public Concerns about AI Falling on Deaf Ears in Canada?

Canadian government officials want AI to be deployed responsibly in Canada. In order to build trust in their approach to AI governance, they have sought public comment. In this paper, the researchers use landscape analysis to examine two recent examples of calls for public input on AI governance. They find that most of those who respond are individuals and groups have already heard on many aspects of AI through advisory bodies and events. However, the general public does not know about or respond to such calls. Moreover, the few who express their concerns about AI were met with “deaf ears”—silence.

Canadian officials are trying to improve the process of seeking public input, but the researchers assert that Canada can do more to inform, involve, and collaborate with Canadian citizens on AI governance. The authors recommend that Canadian officials:

1. Work to build a base of common knowledge about AI.
2. View public participation in AI governance not just as a policy problem, but as a marketing problem. Enlist the help of a wide range of groups on outreach.
3. Create a culture of enthusiasm for public participation among government officials and develop institutions to support such participation. Demonstrate how public consultations and diverse feedback can lead to more trusted and sustainable governance outcomes. Wide capacity.
4. Establish an always on portal where citizens can always ask questions and provide feedback about AI policies. Designate staff to serve as citizen guides and advocates, who could respond to concerns placed in the portal.
5. Designate an ombudsman at every government agency to respond to the public concerns over the agencies’ policies and practice related to AI. The ombudsman should investigate citizen complaints and resolve them.