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Canada has been seen as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) research and development – home to the “godfathers of AI,” Professors Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio; and the first country in the world to launch a national AI strategy in 2017. However, domestic adoption and governance of these emerging technologies have not kept pace with early successes.

In 2025, Canada ranked among the lowest of 47 countries surveyed by KPMG and the University of Melbourne, when it comes to the regular use of, and trust in AI.^[1] Just over one third of Canadians (34%) were “willing to trust AI.”^[2] This echoes what the committee heard during its study: trust in AI technologies is very low, and is one of the most significant barriers to more widespread, safe adoption in Canada.

In many ways, low trust is an expression of concern. As AI technologies continue to evolve, they are being embedded throughout governments, businesses, and society; producing increasingly visible, systemic, and inequitable social impacts. Hesitation as a reaction to new technologies is not a new phenomenon and it is not uncommon with new technologies that there are more questions than answers. It is expected that a technology that expressly aims to mimic, if not surpass human intelligence, provokes a strong response. Given that we are more likely to question what we do not understand and control, information gathering and knowledge sharing is an exercise of trust building in and of itself.

It was in this context that the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (the committee) began a study on the impact of AI in Canada, holding six meetings so far in 2026. Throughout the planning, evidence gathering, and reporting for this first phase of the study, which ended on May 8, 2026, the committee has been very aware of the rapidly evolving nature of this technology and has remained focused on sharing the information and recommendations it has heard while they remain relevant.

On June 4, 2026, the Government of Canada announced a renewed national AI strategy, AI for All. While the development of that strategy was distinct from this study, the committee is encouraged that many of the observations and key actions mentioned in the renewed strategy align with those made in this report, with particular attention to the emphasis on Canadian identity and values; the commitment to create AI-related jobs; the identification of priority sectors for AI opportunity; and the commitment to collaborate with multinational partners towards safe AI internationally.^[3] That said, the committee looks forward to learning more about how certain commitments such as legislation preventing online harms and protecting Canadians’ data, AI literacy beyond the student and youth population, and the creation of anticipated job opportunities, will be implemented and the results measured.

On June 10, 2026, the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture introduced Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act.^[4] Among other things, this bill would enact a Digital Safety Act regulating interactions with certain online services, including by introducing age-related restrictions for persons under 16 accessing social media services; and new responsibilities for chatbot services. Like with the renewed national AI strategy, the committee is encouraged that the provisions proposed in this bill largely align with recommendations made in this report. However, members note that given the possibility of amendments during the legislative process, it is challenging to provide further commentary at this time. The committee hopes to be able to use the knowledge learned during this and future phases of this study to inform a more in-depth examination of Bill C-34.

This interim report aims to establish what AI is, the major opportunities, risks and challenges it introduces, and to provide recommendations to the federal government as it implements a renewed national AI strategy. The preliminary observations and recommendations in this report reflect the degree and spectrum of fears associated with new technologies, with the balance weighted towards “risks and challenges.” In future phases of this study, the committee hopes to hear more about positive “opportunities” to promote the development of AI technologies for good, for all. Other issues raised as priorities for future phases of this committee’s work include collaborative action and emergency planning to mitigate the threat of superintelligence; the impact of AI on the labour market and work in Canada; and the continued focus on the use and impact of AI technologies on at-risk and marginalized populations.

When it comes to AI, it is no longer a question of “if” or “when.” AI is here. It is being integrated throughout Canadian society. However, there is a still an opportunity to respond to and influence the questions of “how,” “why,” and “for whom” AI technologies are developed and deployed. 

[1] “Figure 2: Regular use of AI systems across countries,” and “Figure 9: Perceptions of the trustworthiness of AI systems,” in KPMG and University of Melbourne, Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence: A global study 2025.

[2] KPMG and University of Melbourne, Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence: A global study 2025 – Canada insights.

[3] Government of Canada, Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All.

[4] Bill C-34, An Act to enact the Digital Safety Act and the Digital Safety Commission of Canada and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Safe Social Media Act), 45^th Parliament, 1^st Session, (first reading version, June 10, 2026).

Ex officio members of the committee: the Honourable Pierre Moreau, P.C., or the Honourable Patti LaBoucane-Benson, the Honourable Leo Housakos or the Honourable Yonah Martin, the Honourable Lucie Moncion or the Honourable Joan Kingston, the Honourable Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler or the Honourable Robert Black, the Honourable Brian Francis or the Honourable Judy A. White

Other senators who have participated in the study: the Honourable Yuen Pau Woo and the Honourable Andrew Cardozo