Canada has published its first public register detailing how artificial intelligence is being used across federal departments, marking a major transparency milestone in the country’s push toward responsible AI adoption.
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali announced the launch of the AI Register on Thursday, calling it a crucial step in helping Canadians understand where and why government institutions deploy AI systems. The register is part of the federal public service’s broader AI Strategy and is hosted on the Open Government Portal.
According to the Treasury Board Secretariat, the initial release includes information from 42 federal institutions and lists more than 400 AI systems at various stages of development—from early research to fully deployed tools supporting operations and service delivery. That breadth of activity, officials said, reflects how deeply AI has already taken root within government, with some systems dating back as far as 1994.
Each listing includes the system’s purpose, description, development origin (in-house or vendor-built), and intended or current use. The government says the register is designed to help reduce duplication, improve planning, and give departments a clearer view of AI work happening across the federal landscape.
Ali said the register is also intended to build public trust. “Artificial intelligence is transforming governments, and we are committed to providing Canadians with information about how it is being used to support programs and services,” he said in the announcement. “The AI Register is an important step in ensuring the responsible use of AI across the federal public service.”
While the register excludes low-risk AI embedded in common commercial tools—such as spell checkers or virtual assistants—the government plans to expand its scope. Public consultations will be held in 2026 to gather feedback and refine the platform before transitioning to regular departmental updates.
The initiative underscores Canada’s effort to position itself as a global leader in public-sector AI governance while modernizing government operations to be more efficient, digitally enabled, and transparent.
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