Over the course of the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has become recognized as one of the keys to solving some of the world's most complex issues, unlocking a level of growth and innovation that has never been seen before. Governments across the globe are now shifting gear, actively designing investment approaches, incentives and discussing regulatory frameworks to help their nations maintain a top spot in this emerging industry. And much like global counterparts, Canadian policy makers and industries are grappling with the challenge of regulating without stifling innovation. AI was a central focus at the 2017 annual business of AI conference hosted by Rotman's Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), a Canadian accelerator that builds AI-powered startups. At the conference, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the following about AI: "Let's be part of it and help shape it, and let's make sure we're benefiting from the innovations – in both the designing of them and the applications and the jobs." Let's remember this isn't just a gender issue, we need to think broader and ensure our machines are learning about ethnicity, race, language, skin colour, and age.

In Budget 2017 the Government of Canada announced it will renew and enhance its funding for CIFAR, investing $35 million over the next five years in CIFAR's mission of enabling transformative knowledge by catalyzing global networks of the world's pre-eminent researchers. The government also announced that CIFAR will administer a $125 million Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy for research and talent. "I want to thank the Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains, and the government of Canada for this support," says CIFAR President and CEO Dr. Alan Bernstein. "This government understands the importance of investing in fundamental research, and they understand that the CIFAR model of bringing together some of the best minds to address important global questions benefits both Canada and the world. I'd especially like to thank the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Canada's Minister of Science, for her strong on-going support for CIFAR."