OTTAWA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Prime Minister Mark Carney has established a national council dedicated to providing guidance on artificial intelligence policies and implementation in Canada. The Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence officially started its work following its announcement on October 2, 2026. Its role is to advise the federal government on issues such as AI safety, its economic applications, public service integration, and the development of sovereign technological capabilities. Additionally, the council will evaluate infrastructure needs, talent development, research initiatives, and the risks associated with the growing deployment of artificial intelligence throughout the country.
This advisory group is composed of experts from a variety of sectors, including technology, research, finance, government, and national security. Among its members are Yoshua Bengio, Sanja Fidler, Ajay Agrawal, Valérie Pisano, Michelle Zatlyn, and former national security adviser Jody Thomas. Other participants include Senator Thomas Pitfield, John Graham, Gillian Hadfield, Jordan Jacobs, Eric Lamarre, and Louis Vachon. Patrick Pichette joins as an ex officio member. The Privy Council Office will support the council with a dedicated team to assist its efforts.
It’s important to note that the council does not possess autonomous authority to formulate or enforce federal policies. Instead, decisions and actions will continue to be made by ministers and government departments. The primary purpose of the council is to provide strategic advice that complements Canada’s broader AI objectives. Its focus areas include AI adoption, fostering public trust, supporting Canadian technology firms, and strengthening domestic infrastructure. The council will also tackle governance issues, safety concerns, and the protection of democratic institutions. Prime Minister Carney’s government connected this new entity directly to the overarching national AI for All framework, underscoring its role within Canada’s AI strategy.
National plan establishes targets for AI adoption and expansion
Canada unveiled AI for All in June 2026 as its official national AI strategy. The framework organizes federal efforts around core themes of trust, economic opportunities, and maintaining Canadian control over essential technologies. The strategy is built upon six pillars that include public safety, workforce skills, business integration, sovereign infrastructure, support for domestic companies, and international collaborations. It also emphasizes initiatives around privacy, online safety, and the security of government digital systems. Ottawa describes this comprehensive approach as a unified effort to foster AI development across the economy and public services.
The government has set several quantifiable goals for this strategy. These include increasing national AI adoption from slightly above 12% to 60% by 2034, generating an additional C$200 billion in economic growth, and creating 250,000 AI-related jobs within five years. The plan also aims to create up to 90,000 new jobs and internships for young Canadians. In September, Ottawa committed up to C$162 million to support 10,000 AI-related placements through Mitacs AI Advantage, emphasizing its focus on youth employment and skill development.
Digital upgrades support the broader AI development goals
The formation of the council coincides with Ottawa’s efforts to expand digital technology use across federal agencies. In September 2026, the government launched Digital Transformation Canada to modernize existing systems and improve technology procurement processes. This initiative merges Shared Services Canada with select functions from other federal entities to streamline digital service delivery. Its objectives include enhancing how departments develop, acquire, and implement digital tools. Patrick Pichette assumed the role of chief executive on September 9, 2026, and his position also makes him an ex officio member of the AI council.
The Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence will serve as a key advisory body as Canada advances its national AI program. Its responsibilities encompass promoting AI adoption, addressing workforce needs, improving public services, building infrastructure, ensuring safety, and strengthening Canadian technological capacity. The council will also focus on governance issues and protecting democratic systems from potential AI-related threats. While federal departments retain responsibility for policy execution and program administration, the council’s role is to provide strategic recommendations within the framework of Canada’s AI for All initiative, which remains the central pillar of the country’s artificial intelligence development efforts.