The Canadian government is taking steps to ensure that Canadians have a good understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impacts. They have introduced the National AI Literacy Initiative, which offers a free online course to educate post-secondary students, K-12 educators, and the general public about the basics of AI.
At an event in Edmonton, Minister of Artificial Intelligence Evan Solomon emphasized the importance of education in navigating the changes and innovations brought about by AI. The government plans to invest in students, teachers, and all Canadians to enhance education and literacy in AI.
The focus is on developing technology that prioritizes people and ensures that AI serves humanity. The government has allocated $13 million to launch three free courses in collaboration with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII) and make them accessible to all Canadians.
Participants can complete the course modules at their own pace. The course for post-secondary students is designed to take around three hours to finish and is self-paced without an instructor.
The first two courses cater to educators and post-secondary students and will be available to educational institutions starting September 21. The course for the general public will follow shortly after but before the end of the year.
These courses aim to equip Canadians with the confidence to utilize AI effectively, the critical thinking skills to question its applications, and the knowledge to make informed decisions about incorporating AI into their lives responsibly.
The course for educators will offer practical training and classroom resources, with additional chapters to be released in the fall. The program for post-secondary students aims to build their understanding of AI, foster responsible usage, and develop essential AI skills for the workplace.
The third course, “Essentials for Canadians,” will be accessible through Employment and Social Development Canada’s Job Bank and community partners yet to be announced.
Minister Solomon highlighted that Canada has played a significant role in AI development and is now committed to ensuring that Canadians are well-equipped to shape the future of AI confidently.
