Canadian PM Carney launches 13-member national council on artificial intelligence

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney launched a new national advisory council on artificial intelligence on Friday, assembling a 13-member panel of top computer scientists, tech executives, and national security experts to guide federal policy on AI deployment and safety.

What is the mandate of Canada's new national AI council?

Announced by the Prime Minister's Office, the National Council on Artificial Intelligence is tasked with providing independent, practical advice on managing Canada's broader AI transformation.

The council's core mission centers on updating national AI strategy, establishing safety guardrails for public and private deployment, and evaluating economic opportunities.

Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Carney emphasized that the council will help his government "manage the risks, seize the opportunities, and ensure AI is used to improve the lives of all Canadians".

The initiative arrives as governments globally re-evaluate regulatory approaches and safety frameworks following high-profile security incidents and rapid advancements in autonomous reasoning models.

Who is serving on the council and why was it established?

The 13-member council brings together leading figures across academia, industry, and national security:

• Academic & Safety Leadership: Members include Yoshua Bengio, the Montreal-based computer scientist widely recognized as one of the founders of modern AI. Bengio has repeatedly urged international leaders to establish strict safety guardrails—comparing AI safety risks to nuclear non-proliferation—warning that humanity risks losing control of unconstrained frontier systems. Sanja Fidler, Vice President of AI Research at NVIDIA, also joins the panel.
• Industry & Government Experts: The panel includes Patrick Pichette, CEO of Digital Transformation Canada and former Google CFO, alongside a former national security adviser under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
• Focus on Trust and Innovation: The advisory group will consult on federal initiatives including the Canadian AI Safety Institute, national AI literacy programs, and safe data center infrastructure.

According to reporting by CBC News and The National Post, the council will submit preliminary policy recommendations to align Canadian regulations with international safety standards