OTTAWA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Prime Minister Mark Carney has initiated a national artificial intelligence council tasked with advising the federal government on issues related to AI adoption, safety, and sovereignty. The announcement was made on October 2, 2026, introducing the Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence. This body will offer independent, practical guidance as Canada advances its AI for All national plan. Its scope includes economic competitiveness, public services, research, talent development, infrastructure, and the broader governance of artificial intelligence.
The council’s focus will be on how Canada can boost AI deployment across various sectors while maintaining control over vital technology. Additionally, it will advise on Canadian AI enterprises, sovereign infrastructure, safety measures, governance structures, and potential risks to democratic institutions. The government states that the council will serve as a bridge connecting public and private sector stakeholders and highlight areas where coordinated efforts are needed. Policy decisions and execution will remain the responsibility of cabinet ministers and federal agencies. A small team within the Privy Council Office will support the council’s activities.
Members of the council include researchers, technology executives, investors, public servants, and specialists in AI safety and oversight. Among them are Yoshua Bengio, Sanja Fidler, Ajay Agrawal, Valérie Pisano, Michelle Zatlyn, Jody Thomas, and Louis Vachon. Senators Thomas Pitfield and John Graham, along with Gillian Hadfield, Jordan Jacobs, and Eric Lamarre, also participate. Patrick Pichette, CEO of Digital Transformation Canada, serves as an ex officio member. The team’s expertise spans research, finance, national security, technology, and public administration.
Linking AI Safety with Canada’s Strategic Goals
Canada unveiled its AI for All initiative in June 2026 as the country’s overarching AI strategy. The framework aims to meet three core objectives: fostering trust, expanding opportunities, and maintaining Canadian sovereignty over critical AI technologies. Its six pillars emphasize public safety, workforce skills, economic integration, sovereign infrastructure, Canadian corporate interests, and international collaborations. The strategy also advocates for enhanced AI safety capabilities, modernized privacy and online safety regulations, and more secure government systems.
Measurable goals accompany the strategy, such as increasing AI adoption from slightly over 12% to 60% by 2034. The plan also targets C$200 billion in additional economic growth and the creation of 250,000 new AI-related jobs within five years. Furthermore, the government anticipates up to 90,000 AI-related jobs and work placements for young Canadians under the broader initiative. In September, Ottawa allocated up to C$162 million over five years to support 10,000 AI-related work placements through Mitacs AI Advantage.
Expansion of Federal AI Initiatives into Public Sector Services
Carney also announced the launch of Digital Transformation Canada in September. This new entity aims to modernize federal services and expand the government’s use of digital tools. It consolidates Shared Services Canada with selected functions from various federal departments and agencies. The organization’s mandate focuses on improving how the government develops, purchases, and applies technology. Its priorities include leveraging federal purchasing power to support Canadian digital and AI companies in testing, scaling, and commercializing innovative solutions. Patrick Pichette became chief executive on September 9, 2026.
The newly formed council will act as an advisory body rather than a policymaking entity. Its focus will be on issues that cut across the government’s AI agenda, including adoption, public sector transformation, talent development, and sovereign infrastructure. It will also address safety, governance, and the protection of Canadian democracy as AI use continues to grow. Recommendations from the council will shape the evolution of AI for All, although ministers and departments will retain responsibility for policy decisions and implementation. The council does not possess authority to independently create or enforce federal policies.