Understanding

Talk about AI is everywhere.

Last week, the City of Kelowna's announced it is working with Microsoft to develop an AI chatbot that automates permit applications and answers’ questions about the city’s zoning bylaws and the official plans. As the chatbot is expected to save frontline staff 20-40% of their time answering the same question, it highlights the potential of artificial intelligence to streamline government operations.

As AI continues to advance, it has the potential to quickly transform how government operates and interacts with citizens. How else will AI affect how different levels of government operate? What are the trade-offs, potential privacy and ethical concerns?

In 2017, the Canadian government launched the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which is a collaborative effort between the federal government, industry, and academia to advance AI research and development in the country. The Canadian government has established several initiatives to promote the ethical use of AI, including the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) AI and Society Program and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence.

Given where we are now, what else should it do? What are your thoughts on how the Canadian Federal Government should respond to the sudden emergence of AI tools like ChatGPT and other related AI tools?

B.C. city develops AI tool to speed up building permit applications | CBC News The City of Kelowna could be the first municipality in B.C. to use artificial intelligence to expedite housing permit approvals, according to staff.

The federal government released the 2023-24 budget today. Join us next Tuesday, April 4th from 6:00-6:30 pm (Pacific time) to learn more about what's in this year's budget. In this webinar we'll speak about what's new, what it means, and how the long-term outlook has changed.

Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-where-your-taxes-go-a-look-at-the-2023-24-federal-budget-tickets-579700348347

Thanks to everyone who joined for the first class about the Canadian Federal Government this week. This slide is where we covered the biggest federal government departments, the top being the Department of Defence with approximately 90,000 staff.