Canada’s allies are rapidly adopting AI, prompting warnings that Canada must keep pace, as the technology is also becoming increasingly accessible to potential adversaries. (Source: Image by RR)

Canada Joins Global AI Blueprint, Stressing Human Oversight in Military AI Applications

Defence Minister Bill Blair announced that Canada is working to incorporate AI into its military operations, but emphasized that it will not replace human decision-making. Speaking at a summit in Seoul, South Korea, Blair highlighted Canada’s commitment to making the Canadian Armed Forces “AI-enabled” by 2030, under a strategy launched earlier this year. He stressed the importance of using AI both effectively and ethically, ensuring that humans remain central to significant decisions, with accountability mechanisms firmly in place.

Blair noted that AI will be used to improve the efficiency of military personnel, and emphasized the need for collaboration with allies to ensure AI technologies are integrated and managed effectively. The strategy, as noted in ctvnews.ca, also warns that as AI becomes more accessible to potential adversaries, Canada must act swiftly to keep pace with global developments. Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France have supported the “blueprint for action” on military AI, while nations such as China, Russia, and Israel did not endorse the agreement.

The blueprint endorsed at the summit acknowledges AI’s transformative potential in military affairs but also highlights the humanitarian, societal, and ethical risks associated with its use. It stresses the importance of ensuring that AI technologies comply with national and international laws, while maintaining human responsibility and accountability in their deployment. Safeguards must be in place to prevent malfunctions or unintended consequences, such as biases in data or algorithms.

The document further calls for a shared understanding and open discussion on the use of AI in military operations, ensuring that these technologies support, rather than undermine, international peace and stability. It emphasizes that humans must be able to understand, explain, and trust the outputs of AI systems, reinforcing the need for transparency and careful management in their military applications.

read more in ctvnews.ca