Preparing for the AI Crisis: A Plan for Canada
White paper by AI Governance and Safety Canada (AIGS) warning that leading AI labs may develop smarter-than-human AI within 18 months and urging urgent federal action to prepare for the resulting crises. The paper offers a concise overview of where AI is headed, the likely crisis points, and why Canada is well placed to lead a global solution. Argues that Canada's best contribution is leadership — to spearhead global talks while building resilience at home.
Organizations
- AIGS — publisher
Links
Policy recommendations
- rec-2025-001 Pivot to meet the AI crisisUntracked
The federal government should act urgently, as leading AI labs may develop smarter-than-human AI within 18 months. This could trigger multiple crises including accidents, geopolitical tensions, employment disruption, economic shocks, and social unrest. Government must treat AI development as a strategic emergency.
- rec-2025-002 Spearhead the global responseUntracked
Establish international agreements to minimize conflict, enhance safety protocols, and distribute AI benefits equitably across nations. Canada is well placed to lead global talks given its stable society, educated population, and reputation on the world stage.
- rec-2025-003 Build Canada's resilienceUntracked
Implement domestic measures to address the secondary impacts of the AI crisis, including AI-powered cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, supply chain disruptions from accidents or conflict, fiscal shocks from sustained job losses, and potential loss of access to foreign compute.
- rec-2025-004 Engage Canadians in a national conversation on AIUntracked
Foster informed public dialogue about AI's transformative impact on Canadian society. Canadians deserve to be informed and consulted on a technology that will reshape their lives. Canada's relative stability and strong AI ecosystem make it a good position to pilot such a conversation.