Commentary, Solutions Sarah Rosa Commentary, Solutions Sarah Rosa

What might the Canadian AI Safety Institute look like? Reflections on an emerging national AI safety regime

In April 2024, the Government of Canada pledged $2.4bn toward AI in its annual budget, including $50m for a new AI Safety Institute. What scope, expertise, and authority will the new institute need to achieve its full potential? We examine the early approaches of similar institutes in the UK, US, and EU.

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Commentary, Solutions Ella Lim Commentary, Solutions Ella Lim

From mourning to machine: Griefbots, human dignity, and AI regulation

Griefbots are artificial intelligence programs designed to mimic deceased individuals by using their digital footprint. Griefbots raise significant concerns about data collection and implications to human dignity. This article explores the digital afterlife industry and the ethical and legal challenges it presents, including a consideration of health, privacy, and property laws in Canada.

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Research Jovana Jankovic Research Jovana Jankovic

The smart way to run smart cities: New report explores data governance and trusted data sharing in Toronto

A new report from SRI Research Lead Beth Coleman, SRI Graduate Fellow Madison Mackley, and collaborators explores questions such as: How can we facilitate data-sharing across divisions to improve public policy and service delivery? What are the risks of data-sharing, how can we mitigate those risks, and what are the potential benefits of doing it right?

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Research, Events Michael Zhang Research, Events Michael Zhang

Harming virtuously? Value alignment for harmful AI

The field of AI safety emphasizes that systems be aligned with human values, often stating AI should “do no harm.” But lethal autonomous systems used for firearms and drones are already harming people. How can we address the reality of purposely harmful AI systems? SRI Graduate Fellow Michael Zhang writes about a panel of experts exploring this topic.

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Announcement, Research Schwartz Reisman Institute Announcement, Research Schwartz Reisman Institute

Schwartz Reisman Institute announces new faculty affiliates for 2024-25

Get to know the 15 new faculty affiliates joining the SRI research community for the 2024–25 academic year. The new cohort of affiliates has expertise in a variety of fields across social sciences, humanities, and STEM disciplines, including geography, psychology, information studies, management, criminology, sociology, history, cultural studies, public health, physiology, pharmaceutical sciences, computer science, and engineering.

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Research, Solutions Jovana Jankovic Research, Solutions Jovana Jankovic

SRI working group investigating the concept of trust from across disciplinary perspectives

Can we trust the behaviours, predictions, and pronouncements of the advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems that are seemingly everywhere in our lives? This question is being explored using a multidisciplinary approach by a working group led by SRI Research Lead Beth Coleman. Learn more about the group members and what they’re working on.

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Commentary, Solutions Ella Lim Commentary, Solutions Ella Lim

All about Bill C-70, the Canadian government’s attempt to counter foreign interference

Although foreign interference did not impact the results of Canadian elections in 2019 and 2021, it ‘stained’ the electoral process, undermining public confidence in Canada’s democratic institutions. What measures does Bill C-70 (“An Act respecting countering foreign interference”) take to bolster Canadian confidence in elections? And how might it apply to the use of AI in our elections?

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Announcement Schwartz Reisman Institute Announcement Schwartz Reisman Institute

David Lie appointed Director of SRI; David Duvenaud and Roger Grosse appointed Schwartz Reisman Chairs in Technology and Society

World-leading computer security expert David Lie will take on the role of the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society’s (SRI) director, while two renowned AI safety experts—Roger Grosse and David Duvenaud—are being appointed Schwartz Reisman Chairs in Technology and Society.

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Announcement, Research Schwartz Reisman Institute Announcement, Research Schwartz Reisman Institute

Schwartz Reisman Institute announces 2024 fellowship recipients

The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society is proud to welcome four new faculty fellows and 15 graduate fellows from across the University of Toronto. SRI fellowships support interdisciplinary research projects that build new approaches to examine the complex relations between technology and society.

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Commentary David Baldridge, Beth Coleman, and Alicia Demanuele Commentary David Baldridge, Beth Coleman, and Alicia Demanuele

The terminology of AI regulation: Ensuring “safety” and building “trust”

We hear certain terminology used frequently in efforts to regulate artificial intelligence. But what do we mean when we talk about “safety” and “trust”? Are advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems a threat to our sense of safety and security? Can we trust AI systems to perform increasingly critical roles in society? Precise and useful understandings of these terms across diverse contexts are a crucial step toward effective policymaking.

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