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Code sets voluntary commitments that industry can sign to demonstrate responsible development and management of generative artificial intelligence systems

Vancouver, BC, September 28, 2023--(T-Net)--The Government of Canada announced today Canada's Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems, which is effective immediately.

The code identifies measures that organizations are encouraged to apply to their operations when they are developing and managing general-purpose generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

The Government of Canada says it has already taken significant steps toward ensuring that AI technology evolves responsibly and safely through the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), which was introduced as part of Bill C-27 in June 2022.

This code is a critical bridge between now and when that legislation would be coming into force.

The code outlines measures that are aligned with six core principles:

• Accountability: Organizations will implement a clear risk management framework proportionate to the scale and impact of their activities.
  
  
• Safety: Organizations will perform impact assessments and take steps to mitigate risks to safety, including addressing malicious or inappropriate uses.
  
  
• Fairness and equity: Organizations will assess and test systems for biases throughout the lifecycle.
  
  
• Transparency: Organizations will publish information on systems and ensure that AI systems and AI-generated content can be identified.
  
  
• Human oversight and monitoring: Organizations will ensure that systems are monitored and that incidents are reported and acted on.
  
  
• Validity and robustness: Organizations will conduct testing to ensure that systems operate effectively and are appropriately secured against attacks.

This code is based on the input received from a cross-section of stakeholders, including the Government of Canada's Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence, through the consultation on the development of a Canadian code of practice for generative AI systems.

The government says it will publish a summary of feedback received during the consultation in the coming days. The code will also help reinforce Canada's contributions to ongoing international deliberations on proposals to address common risks encountered with large-scale deployment of generative AI, including at the G7 and among like-minded partners.

Quick facts

• The proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), part of Bill C-27, is designed to promote the responsible design, development and use of AI systems in Canada's private sector, with a focus on systems with the greatest impact on health, safety and human rights (high-impact systems).
  
  
• Since the introduction of the bill, the government has engaged extensively with stakeholders on AIDA and will continue to seek the advice of Canadians, experts—including the government's Advisory Council on AI—and international partners on the novel challenges posed by generative AI, as outlined in the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) - Companion document.
  
  
• Bill C-27 was adopted at second reading in the House of Commons in April 2023 and was referred to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology for study.

Related products

• Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems

Associated links

• Consultation on the development of a Canadian code of practice for generative artificial intelligence systems
  
  
• Introduction of Bill C-27: New laws to strengthen Canadians' privacy protection and trust in the digital economy
  
  
• Canada's Digital Charter and Bill C-27: Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022
  
  
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Act
  
  
• Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence