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Artificial Intelligence Tip Sheet (view source)
Revision as of 14:32, 24 September 2025
, Yesterday at 14:32no edit summary
When creating or changing policies that involve AI, assess its impact on people from the very beginning.
When creating or changing policies that involve AI, assess its impact on people from the very beginning.
Conduct an Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) to determine the system's risk level. This must include an explicit assessment of the proposed data sources for potential bias.
* Conduct an Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) to determine the system's risk level. This must include an explicit assessment of the proposed data sources for potential bias.
* Incorporate foundational legislation like the Accessible Canada Act, the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous People and the Employment Equity Act in the policy analysis.
Incorporate foundational legislation like the Accessible Canada Act, the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous People and the Employment Equity Act in the policy analysis.
* Challenge policy assumptions in areas like risk scoring, eligibility determination, and the underlying assumptions of the policy itself that could lead to discriminatory outcomes.
Challenge policy assumptions in areas like risk scoring, eligibility determination, and the underlying assumptions of the policy itself that could lead to discriminatory outcomes.
==== Key Resources: ====
==== Key Resources: ====
* Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) Tool
* [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/digital-government/digital-government-innovations/responsible-use-ai/algorithmic-impact-assessment.html Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) Tool]
* Accessible Canada Act
* [https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/a-0.6/ Accessible Canada Act]
* United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
* United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
* Employment Equity Act
* Employment Equity Act
Embed fairness directly into the architecture of any AI-powered program.
Embed fairness directly into the architecture of any AI-powered program.
Ensure meaningful human oversight and provide plain-language notices to users explaining how the AI works and how to challenge a decision.
* Ensure meaningful human oversight and provide plain-language notices to users explaining how the AI works and how to challenge a decision.
* Include systemically marginalized groups in all phases, from initial design to final testing and implementation.
Include systemically marginalized groups in all phases, from initial design to final testing and implementation.
* Audit all AI tools for equity, especially internal systems, to ensure they do not perpetuate bias and barriers.
* Embed accessibility and bias mitigation throughout design, testing, and implementation.
Audit all AI tools for equity, especially internal systems, to ensure they do not perpetuate bias and barriers.
Embed accessibility and bias mitigation throughout design, testing, and implementation.
==== Key Resources: ====
==== Key Resources: ====
=== 4. Procuring Technology & AI Systems ===
=== 4. Procuring Technology & AI Systems ===
Require potential vendors to disclose the sources of their training data, their data-cleaning methods, and the steps they took to mitigate bias in their models.
* Require conformance with accessibility standards in all procurement contracts. This includes both the hardware/software standards and the specific standards for AI.
* Require potential vendors to disclose the sources of their training data, their data-cleaning methods, and the steps they took to mitigate bias in their models.
Require conformance with accessibility standards in all procurement contracts, including ICT and AI-specific standards.
* Require conformance with accessibility standards in all procurement contracts, including ICT and AI-specific standards.
* Mandate an external, independent peer review for any high-impact AI system before a contract is finalized and before deployment.
Mandate an external, independent peer review for any high-impact AI system before a contract is finalized and before deployment.
==== Key Resources: ====
==== Key Resources: ====
As a leader, help build your team's capacity to work with AI ethically and inclusively.
As a leader, help build your team's capacity to work with AI ethically and inclusively.
Obtain training on bias, equity, and accessible design principles.
* Obtain training on bias, equity, and accessible design principles.
* Actively engage employees from systemically marginalized groups to gather feedback on AI tools and processes.
Actively engage employees from systemically marginalized groups to gather feedback on AI tools and processes.
=== 6. Working in Human Resources (HR) ===
=== 6. Working in Human Resources (HR) ===
Exercise caution to prevent AI from creating discriminatory barriers in recruitment, promotion, or talent management.
Exercise caution to prevent AI from creating discriminatory barriers in recruitment, promotion, or talent management.
Do not use AI in hiring or promotion unless:
* Do not use AI in hiring or promotion unless:
*# AI training data was audited and corrected for biases related to gender, race, disability, and other protected grounds.
AI training data was audited and corrected for biases related to gender, race, disability, and other protected grounds.
*# The system has been independently audited for equity impacts in a Canadian context.
*# Interfaces are fully bilingual and accessible.
The system has been independently audited for equity impacts in a Canadian context.
* Ensure AI-enabled learning or assessment platforms are barrier-free and have been co-designed with meaningful consultation from systemically discriminated groups.
* Conduct an Algorithmic Impact Assessment for any system that automates decisions affecting employees' rights or careers.
Interfaces are fully bilingual and accessible.
Ensure AI-enabled learning or assessment platforms are barrier-free and have been co-designed with meaningful consultation from systemically discriminated groups.
Conduct an Algorithmic Impact Assessment for any system that automates decisions affecting employees' rights or careers.
==== Key Resources: ====
==== Key Resources: ====
* Employment Equity Act
* Employment Equity Act
* Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems - Accessibility Standards Canada
* Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems - Accessibility Standards Canada
* Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) Tool
* [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/digital-government/digital-government-innovations/responsible-use-ai/algorithmic-impact-assessment.html Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) Tool]
=== 6. Supporting Indigenous Rights & Self-Determination ===
=== 6. Supporting Indigenous Rights & Self-Determination ===
Ensure AI systems respect the rights and data sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples.
Ensure AI systems respect the rights and data sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples.
Align AI systems with the principles of the the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the OCAP® Principles (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession).
* Align AI systems with the principles of the the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the OCAP® Principles (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession).
* Include Indigenous Peoples, leaders, and networks in the design, procurement, and governance of any AI system that may affect them.
Include Indigenous Peoples, leaders, and networks in the design, procurement, and governance of any AI system that may affect them.
* Avoid automated systems that could reinforce or create new systemic inequities for Indigenous Peoples.
Avoid automated systems that could reinforce or create new systemic inequities for Indigenous Peoples.
==== Key Resources: ====
==== Key Resources: ====
* The First Nations Principles of OCAP®
* [https://fnigc.ca/ocap-training/ The First Nations Principles of OCAP®]
* United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act
* [https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/declaration/index.html United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act]
=== 7. Monitoring, Evaluating & Auditing ===
=== 7. Monitoring, Evaluating & Auditing ===
Continuously assess the real-world impact of AI systems to ensure they remain fair and effective over time.
Continuously assess the real-world impact of AI systems to ensure they remain fair and effective over time.
Assess AI-related impacts using GBA Plus assessments, program evaluations, and privacy and accessibility audits.
* Assess AI-related impacts using GBA Plus assessments, program evaluations, and privacy and accessibility audits.
* Continuously monitor system outputs for unexpected or inequitable results. If an AI system starts flagging a specific demographic at a higher rate, it requires immediate investigation.
Continuously monitor system outputs for unexpected or inequitable results. If an AI system starts flagging a specific demographic at a higher rate, it requires immediate investigation.
* Report transparently on AI risks, mitigation efforts, and any updates made to the system.
* Establish clear feedback and redress mechanisms so users can challenge an automated decision
Report transparently on AI risks, mitigation efforts, and any updates made to the system.
Establish clear feedback and redress mechanisms so users can challenge an automated decision
==== Key Resources: ====
==== Key Resources: ====
Foster public trust through clear communication and meaningful collaboration.
Foster public trust through clear communication and meaningful collaboration.
Provide plain language explanations of what AI tools do and how they impact people.
* Provide plain language explanations of what AI tools do and how they impact people.
* Ensure all outreach is culturally relevant, linguistically accessible, and inclusive of marginalized communities.
Ensure all outreach is culturally relevant, linguistically accessible, and inclusive of marginalized communities.
* Co-design AI systems with systemically marginalized groups and by recognizing that persons with disabilities must be involved in creating policies and services that affect them.
Co-design AI systems with systemically marginalized groups and by recognizing that persons with disabilities must be involved in creating policies and services that affect them.
==== Key Resources: ====
==== Key Resources: ====
* ASC-6.2 Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems - Accessibility Standards Canada
* [https://accessible.canada.ca/creating-accessibility-standards/asc-62-accessible-equitable-artificial-intelligence-systems ASC-6.2 Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems - Accessibility Standards Canada]
=== 9. Designing Training & Communications ===
=== 9. Designing Training & Communications ===
Create educational materials that are accessible and inclusive.
Create educational materials that are accessible and inclusive.
Use inclusive and accessible formats like screen-reader-compatible documents, captioned videos, and translated materials.
* Use inclusive and accessible formats like screen-reader-compatible documents, captioned videos, and translated materials.
* Co-create content with systemically marginalized groups to ensure it is relevant and respectful.
Co-create content with systemically marginalized groups to ensure it is relevant and respectful.
* Go beyond "performative" training. Invest in meaningful education that helps public servants understand and confront systemic racism, ableism, and colonialism.
Go beyond "performative" training. Invest in meaningful education that helps public servants understand and confront systemic racism, ableism, and colonialism.
==== Key Resources: ====
==== Key Resources: ====
* ASC-6.2 Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems - Accessibility Standards Canada
* [https://accessible.canada.ca/creating-accessibility-standards/asc-62-accessible-equitable-artificial-intelligence-systems ASC-6.2 Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems - Accessibility Standards Canada]
=== 10. For All Public Servants: Your Personal Responsibility ===
=== 10. For All Public Servants: Your Personal Responsibility ===
Regardless of your role, you have a part to play in ensuring the responsible use of AI.
Regardless of your role, you have a part to play in ensuring the responsible use of AI.
Seek out training on data literacy, AI ethics, and unconscious bias. Understand the basics so you can ask critical questions.
* Seek out training on data literacy, AI ethics, and unconscious bias. Understand the basics so you can ask critical questions.
* If you are asked to work on an AI project, ask "What are the risks of bias in this data?" and "Who might be negatively impacted by this system?"
If you are asked to work on an AI project, ask "What are the risks of bias in this data?" and "Who might be negatively impacted by this system?"
* Actively consult with systemically marginalized groups and colleagues from different levels, locations and classifications. Their insights are invaluable for spotting potential issues.
Actively consult with systemically marginalized groups and colleagues from different levels, locations and classifications. Their insights are invaluable for spotting potential issues.
==== Key Resources: ====
==== Key Resources: ====
* AI Strategy for the Public Service
* [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/digital-government/digital-government-innovations/responsible-use-ai/gc-ai-strategy-overview.html AI Strategy for the Public Service]
* Guiding principles for the use of AI in government
* [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/digital-government/digital-government-innovations/responsible-use-ai/principles.html Guiding principles for the use of AI in government]
* Guide on the use of generative artificial intelligence
* [https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/digital-government/digital-government-innovations/responsible-use-ai/guide-use-generative-ai.html Guide on the use of generative artificial intelligence]