TECHNATION launches AI4Canada Summit as part of a call to action to accelerate responsible AI adoption
24 Mayo 2024 - 6:00AM
On Wednesday, May 22, TECHNATION launched its inaugural AI4Canada
Summit, an annual event that brings together industry and
government for important discussions on the acceleration of
responsible AI adoption in Canada.
TECHNATION is Canada’s leading technology
association, with a mandate to unite industry and government to
enhance the significant impact that technology can have on Canada’s
economic prosperity and global competitiveness. The AI4Canada
Summit is part of TECHNATION’s call to action to accelerate
responsible AI adoption to drive productivity, enable the
digitalization of sectors, and energize industry and government
collaboration across Canada.
“AI’s potential is infinite, but Canada still lags
in AI adoption. Accelerating responsible AI adoption across all
sectors will require a bold commitment and call to action for
government and industry collaboration,” said Angela Mondou,
President and CEO, TECHNATION. “Together, we can define a strategic
and targeted approach to boost Canada’s productivity and global
competitiveness.”
The AI4Canada Summit convened Canadian and global
leaders and government officials who delivered insight and
recommendations on AI adoption best practices to leverage GenAI’s
transforming technology nationwide.
Artificial Intelligence is a hyper-evolving space;
as such, an updated national coordinated plan for AI adoption is
critical for Canada to maintain its AI leadership position in the
highly competitive global economy.
“Artificial intelligence is a significant driver
of technology advancement and productivity. As AI continues to
evolve, we must be responsible and in particular observe citizens’
legal rights,” said Hon. Anita Anand, President of the Treasury
Board. “Discussions like this summit held by TECHNATION are crucial
as they bring industry and government together. Working hand in
hand, we will uphold Canada’s position as a leader in AI.”
At the Summit, global and Canadian technology
leaders, shared perspectives on the importance of AI adoption in a
Canadian and global landscape.
Ashok Krish, Global Head, AI Cloud Advisory &
Consulting Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) highlighted key findings
from their recently published AI for Business Study, which
explores the transformative power of AI for business.
“The latest evolution of artificial
intelligence—including generative AI capabilities—has the potential
to help companies reimagine entire value chains, experience
pervasive performance improvements, and create new ways of
working,” said Ashok Krish, Global Head, AI Cloud Advisory &
Consulting, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). “Canada is uniquely
and positively positioned in this domain; our AI for Business Study
found that Canadian respondents reported more optimism about AI’s
potential impact than any other country surveyed.”
Chris Barry, President of Microsoft Canada
explored the economic potential of Gen AI and value it can bring to
Canadians and our economy through responsible adoption.
“We have a real opportunity to address Canada’s
current productivity challenge and create significant value for our
economy with Gen AI, but only if we adopt responsibly,” said Chris
Barry, President of Microsoft Canada. “As business and government
leaders, it’s incumbent upon us to help organizations of all sizes
embrace AI and realize the economic advantages before us.”
The AI4Canada Summit is part of TECHNATION’s
long-term roadmap focused on responsible AI adoption. Along with
the AI/GenAI Industry-Government Strategic Knowledge Exchange,
the summit is a lead up to the 2025 global TECH7 Forum
that will be held in Canada in conjunction with Canada’s Presidency
of the G7 in 2025. TECH7 global partners are comprised of national
technology industry associations of G7 countries; TECHNATION is the
official representative for Canada.
To learn more about TECHNATION’s AI4Canada
initiative visit www.technationcanada.ca/ai4canada.
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About TECHNATION
TECHNATION is the industry-government nexus
for technology prosperity in Canada. As a member-driven,
not-for-profit, TECHNATION unites Canada’s technology sector,
governments, and communities to enable technology prosperity in
Canada. TECHNATION champions technology prosperity by providing
advocacy, professional development and networking opportunities
across industry and governments at all levels; connecting Canadian
scale-ups with global tech leaders; engaging the global supply
chain; and filling the technology talent pipeline. TECHNATION was
formerly the Information Technology Association of Canada
(ITAC).
Justine Kintanar
TECHNATION
647.242.8154
jkintanar@technationcanada.ca