Newmarket-Aurora MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy is pushing her government to assess the risks and ethics regarding the use of artificial intelligence in government.
Gallagher Murphy tabled a private member’s motion April 10, calling on the province to adopt methods to assess potential risks regarding the adoption of artificial intelligence. It also calls for the government to develop measures to counter emerging security threats.
“The time is now for our government to act on a great opportunity to utilize AI to digitally transform customer service for Ontarians. This motion aims to do exactly that,” Gallagher Murphy said in a statement.
Gallagher Murphy noted there is currently no law at any level of government governing the responsible use of AI within government. While she said the Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery has performed consultations and published a Trustworthy AI Framework, she added that more can be done.
The motion has received some backing from inside and outside the provincial government.
“I thank MPP Gallagher Murphy for her advocacy as we work together with our public and private sector partners to position Ontario as a global leader in the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies,” Minister of Public Business and Service Delivery Todd McCarthy said in a news release.
Sam Andrey, director of policy and research with the Toronto Metropolitan University think tank, the dais, said responsible adoption of new technologies is important.
“We encourage any government or technology provider to focus on transparency: accountability; equity and inclusion; security and safety; prudence; and democratic legitimacy. To that end, we are pleased to support the proposed motion that you shared to develop methods to assess and mitigate potential risks in adopting AI by the Ontario government,” he said.
Gallager Murphy said AI is rapidly advancing and changing how people interact with business and government.
“We have the opportunity to be a leader by starting small, learn(ing) about the unknowns and further utilizing this technology to ensure the transparent and ethical use of AI across Ontario public services,” she said.
