Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Even though I will start by referencing an article by Mr. Gonzalo, my question is for all witnesses and I would like each of them to chime in.
In a blog article, Mr. Gonzalo, you stated that this year, there is a significant increase in the use of artificial intelligence tools as search engines. You explain that last year, 5% of Canadians surveyed stated that their first instinct to stay informed is to use these tools, and that this figure now stands at 12%. This is a significant increase that once again confirms the penetration rate of artificial intelligence in our daily lives.
I have some concerns when I see such an increase, in particular when it comes to the numerous unavoidable biases of artificial intelligence. We need to ask a basic question: Who is responsible for biases in data, algorithms and the results? No one knows.
References to biases in artificial intelligence allude to the appearance of biased results due to human prejudices that skew training data or source artificial intelligence algorithms. These skewed results can have adverse consequences. Biases that are not dealt with harm people’s ability to participate in the economy and society. Biases reduce the accuracy of artificial intelligence, and by extension, its potential. They have an impact on all society and businesses. This can be something such as recommending politically biased content, which can replicate or perpetuate echo chambers. These impacts may also be felt in recruitment or in access to credit and loans, for example.
How can we ensure these biases don’t mislead people?