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Building Canada’s brightest AI future

A framework for scaling and sustaining AI

Canada has everything it takes to lead in artificial intelligence (AI). As we reach an inflection point where AI moves from experimentation to large-scale implementation, this report from Deloitte’s Future of Canada Centre outlines a strategic framework to support Canadian leaders in seizing this moment to realize our highest AI potential.

“We’re at the beginning of a historic transition, a moment where everything becomes possible, and we need to create accountability. Canada has many competitive advantages, but where will we show real leadership? We need to plant a flag.”

- Valérie Pisano, President and CEO, Mila – Quebec AI Institute

From labs to boardrooms, we’ve created a foundation of world-class research, talent pools, and public investment to drive AI innovation forward, and the pieces are in place for AI to power both profit and progress across the country. But now, we’re at risk of stalling.

Realizing AI’s full potential requires more than a strong foundation. As productivity challenges threaten our economic momentum, the question isn’t whether AI will transform Canada’s future—it’s whether we’ll lead or be left behind.

Decisions surrounding AI are among the most consequential that Canadian leaders are making. Our report cuts through the complexity of Canada’s AI challenges with a clear framework for action and a vision to catalyze growth.

Built around three imperatives, this framework helps leaders drive innovation that sticks, scales, and delivers lasting value:

  • Define ambition with a relentless focus on value creation: Leaders must set clear, bold, and strategic goals that align AI initiatives to what matters most for their people, clients, and communities.
  • Build trust by cultivating responsible AI, supporting AI literacy, and fostering human–AI synergy: As organizations scale AI solutions, leaders must establish strong governance, empower their people to invest in AI fluency, and create environments where humans and AI complement each other to build trust across the board.
  • Commit to AI for good by embracing equitable, sustainable AI: Leaders must work together to advance AI technologies that serve everyone equitably and sustainably while considering potential and/or unintended impacts.

Recommendations

The transformative potential of AI requires immediate action and collaboration on the part of strategic leaders and policymakers.

Strategic Leaders

  • Build a comprehensive AI strategy that is ambitious, trust-building, and oriented toward equitable, sustainable prosperity
  • Identify AI opportunities with the greatest potential
  • Adopt a portfolio mindset to move up the AI maturity curve

Policymakers

  • Craft a bold vision for Canada’s AI future
  • Establish a harmonized system of public investment in AI that identifies competitive strengths and optimizes incentive structures targeting high-priority fields
     

Strategic Leaders

  • Implement a responsible, forward-thinking AI governance framework that prioritizes transparency and accountability
  • Invest in AI literacy
  • Assemble cross-departmental teams to reimagine roles for optimal human-AI synergy
  • Nurture timeless human capabilities to help people adapt to an AI-augmented world of work

Policymakers

  • Build trust and promote good governance by positioning Canada as a global leader in AI standardization and safety
  • Focus CAISI efforts on real-world risks and applications of AI and regularly communicate findings to public to foster trust
  • Adopt a risk-based approach to public AI procurement
  • Incorporate AI literacy into Canada’s AI strategy

Strategic Leaders

  • Embed equity and sustainability principals in AI strategies and governance frameworks
  • Explore ways to deploy AI in service of solving societal problems

Policymakers

  • Establish an approach to assessing and reporting on AI’s ecological footprint throughout its lifecycle

Read the full report to explore in-depth analyses, real-world examples, and actionable recommendations to guide you in scaling and sustaining AI.

The world isn’t waiting. Neither should we.

 

Right now, Canada has an enviable advantage. But in the global race to harness AI, standing still means falling behind. Our framework gives leaders the roadmap they need—now, leaders across sectors must work together to drive Canadian innovation forward and build a better future for all.

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