Latest news with #G7LeadersSummit
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Canada has a chance to lead on AI policy and data governance at the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming sectors from health care to climate science. But amid the global scramble to lead this technological revolution, one truth is becoming clearer: data, its platforms and its circulations, have become critical infrastructure. And Canada, poised to host this year's G7 Leaders Summit, has a rare opportunity to shape the rules that will govern AI globally. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, the federal government elevated AI and digital innovation to a central pillar of national policy, and appointed Evan Solomon as minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation. But ambition is not enough — Canada must now back its rhetoric with action that resonates at home and abroad. While AI headlines often focus on breakthroughs in generative models and robotics, the real engine of progress lies in less glamorous terrain: computing infrastructure and data systems. Canada's proposal to build 'next-generation data centres' is about creating the backbone for globally competitive and ethically governed AI. Without these facilities, modern AI systems cannot be trained, validated or deployed responsibly. AI models — like those used in medicine for developing new drugs and health services, clean technologies such as clean energy and carbon-capture or materials science — require enormous computational power and massive datasets. That data must be structured, validated and — to the extent possible — open to those who can use it. Our recent study underscores that the future of AI depends less on algorithmic cleverness and more on data quality and accessibility. Poorly labelled or fragmented datasets can introduce bias, reduce model performance or even endanger lives when used in health or safety applications. Yet across many domains, useful data remains siloed and locked in proprietary formats, lacking documentation or inaccessible due to legal and technical barriers. This status quo serves monopolies, not society. Canada holds the G7 presidency in 2025, and can provide leadership in data governance and AI innovation. A central priority should be to rally partners around a framework for ethical, accessible and well-designed datasets, especially in fields like health, climate science and materials research. Our call for open data isn't one-size-fits-all. It must be tailored to the needs of specific sectors: Health-care AI requires anonymized patient data, genomic sequences, protein structure data, toxicology and carcinogen data, and drug response datasets. Climate AI needs long-term environmental records, satellite imagery, power and water use information and real-time emissions data. Materials science AI demands chemical interaction data, physical testing results, structural data and thermodynamic properties. What binds these fields is a common challenge: ensuring data is ethically sourced, high-quality, and useable across borders and institutions. Canada's role should be to help build the platforms — digital, legal and diplomatic — that make this possible. As host of the G7 in June, Canada can push for a transformative international commitment. At a minimum, this should include: Common standards for open datasets, co-designed with input from AI developers, health professionals, climate researchers, materials scientists and legal experts. Trusted data hubs, managed by public-private or non-profit entities, ensuring secure storage, privacy safeguards and public access. Legal and diplomatic co-ordination, addressing cross-border data sharing, intellectual property constraints and ethical governance frameworks. These steps would position the G7 — and Canada in particular — as a champion of AI that serves democratic values on top of commercial and geopolitical interests. Canada is not starting from scratch. The country boasts leading AI research institutions, including the Vector Institute and Mila, and has pioneered open science partnerships such as the Montreal Neurological Institute's Tanenbaum Open Science Institute and the Toronto labs of the Structural Genomics Consortium. Dataset platforms such as AIRCHECK(for AI-based chemical knowledge) and the CACHE competition (evaluating drug discovery models using open data), show how Canada is already putting together the building blocks of responsible AI. But the country risks squandering this advantage if it cannot scale these efforts or retain innovation domestically. The stalled Artificial Intelligence and Data Act is a case in point. While the European Union moved forward with its AI Act, the General Data Protection Regulation and the European Health Data Space Regulation, Canada's legislative framework remains in flux. Without clear domestic rules, and a proactive global agenda, Canada could end up as an incubator for innovations that end up developed and applied elsewhere. The AI race is not just about who builds the most powerful models. It's about who defines the technical, ethical and geopolitical standards that shape the digital future. The G7 offers Canada a moment of strategic clarity. By investing in AI infrastructure and leading an international agenda on open, trustworthy AI, Canada can lead in shaping the rules. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organisation bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: E. Richard Gold, McGill University and Cristina Vanberghen, European University Institute Read more: Regulating AI seems like an impossible task, but ethically and economically, it's a vital one The robot revolution is here: How it's changing jobs and businesses in Canada An international body will need to oversee AI regulation, but we need to think carefully about what it looks like E. Richard Gold receives funding from TRIDENT: TRanslational Initiative to DE-risk NeuroTherapeutics, a project funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund, application NFRFT-2022-00051. Gold is also the Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer of Conscience, a Canadian non-profit focused on enabling drug discovery and development in areas where open sharing and collaboration are key to advancement and where market solutions are limited, such as rare or neglected diseases, pandemic preparedness, and antimicrobial resistance. Cristina Vanberghen does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Canada Standard
7 days ago
- Business
- Canada Standard
Canada has a chance to lead on AI policy and data governance at the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming sectors from health care to climate science. But amid the global scramble to lead this technological revolution, one truth is becoming clearer: data, its platforms and its circulations, have become critical infrastructure. And Canada, poised to host this year's G7 Leaders Summit, has a rare opportunity to shape the rules that will govern AI globally. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, the federal government elevated AI and digital innovation to a central pillar of national policy, and appointed Evan Solomon as minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation. But ambition is not enough - Canada must now back its rhetoric with action that resonates at home and abroad. While AI headlines often focus on breakthroughs in generative models and robotics, the real engine of progress lies in less glamorous terrain: computing infrastructure and data systems. Canada's proposal to build "next-generation data centres" is about creating the backbone for globally competitive and ethically governed AI. Without these facilities, modern AI systems cannot be trained, validated or deployed responsibly. AI models - like those used in medicine for developing new drugs and health services, clean technologies such as clean energy and carbon-capture or materials science - require enormous computational power and massive datasets. That data must be structured, validated and - to the extent possible - open to those who can use it. Our recent study underscores that the future of AI depends less on algorithmic cleverness and more on data quality and accessibility. Poorly labelled or fragmented datasets can introduce bias, reduce model performance or even endanger lives when used in health or safety applications. Yet across many domains, useful data remains siloed and locked in proprietary formats, lacking documentation or inaccessible due to legal and technical barriers. This status quo serves monopolies, not society. Canada holds the G7 presidency in 2025, and can provide leadership in data governance and AI innovation. A central priority should be to rally partners around a framework for ethical, accessible and well-designed datasets, especially in fields like health, climate science and materials research. Our call for open data isn't one-size-fits-all. It must be tailored to the needs of specific sectors: Health-care AI requires anonymized patient data, genomic sequences, protein structure data, toxicology and carcinogen data, and drug response datasets. Climate AI needs long-term environmental records, satellite imagery, power and water use information and real-time emissions data. Materials science AI demands chemical interaction data, physical testing results, structural data and thermodynamic properties. What binds these fields is a common challenge: ensuring data is ethically sourced, high-quality, and useable across borders and institutions. Canada's role should be to help build the platforms - digital, legal and diplomatic - that make this possible. As host of the G7 in June, Canada can push for a transformative international commitment. At a minimum, this should include: These steps would position the G7 - and Canada in particular - as a champion of AI that serves democratic values on top of commercial and geopolitical interests. Canada is not starting from scratch. The country boasts leading AI research institutions, including the Vector Institute and Mila, and has pioneered open science partnerships such as the Montreal Neurological Institute's Tanenbaum Open Science Institute and the Toronto labs of the Structural Genomics Consortium. Dataset platforms such as AIRCHECK(for AI-based chemical knowledge) and the CACHE competition (evaluating drug discovery models using open data), show how Canada is already putting together the building blocks of responsible AI. But the country risks squandering this advantage if it cannot scale these efforts or retain innovation domestically. The stalled Artificial Intelligence and Data Act is a case in point. While the European Union moved forward with its AI Act, the General Data Protection Regulation and the European Health Data Space Regulation, Canada's legislative framework remains in flux. Without clear domestic rules, and a proactive global agenda, Canada could end up as an incubator for innovations that end up developed and applied elsewhere. The AI race is not just about who builds the most powerful models. It's about who defines the technical, ethical and geopolitical standards that shape the digital future. The G7 offers Canada a moment of strategic clarity. By investing in AI infrastructure and leading an international agenda on open, trustworthy AI, Canada can lead in shaping the rules.
Global News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Trump told Carney he's looking forward to attending G7 meeting in Alberta
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he will meet again in person with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis, Alta., in June. During a press conference at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, following their meeting at the White House on Tuesday, Carney says he had a 'constructive' discussion with Trump as the leaders of two 'sovereign nations.' Carney said the two leaders are committed to meeting again in the future, with the next face-to-face meeting set for the 2025 G7 Leaders Summit that will be held from June 15-17 in Kananaskis, west of Calgary. Carney is expected to host leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as the European Union. View image in full screen This map, released by the Integrated Safety and Security Group, which will be providing security at the G7 summit in Kananaskis in June 2025, shows a large area that the general public will not have access to during the summit. Integrated Security and Safety Group During the summit, public access to a large area of Kananaskis will be restricted, with increased security patrols, a heavy police presence and temporary airspace restrictions in place. Story continues below advertisement The group in charge of security — which is led by the RCMP — said there will also be designated demonstration zones established to provide a safe location for individuals and groups to express their views. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy When Canada last hosted a G7 summit in 2018, Trump refused to sign the closing communiqué, stormed off early and called Carney's predecessor Justin Trudeau 'very dishonest and weak' in a spat over steel and aluminum tariffs. Prime Minister Carney is expected to brief the premiers on his meeting with Trump during a first ministers' meeting on Wednesday. — with files from The Canadian Press.
CBS News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Biden to attend Pope Francis' funeral
Will Catholic Church look to Pope Francis as a model for the next leader? Pope Francis as a model for the next leader Pope Francis as a model for the next leader Former President Joe Biden, who maintained a close working and personal relationship with Pope Francis dating back to the late pontiff's visit to the United States in 2015, will attend the papal funeral Saturday in Vatican City, Biden's office confirmed Friday. Former first lady Jill Biden will also be traveling with her husband to Italy for the funeral. Francis began his papacy in 2013 during the Obama administration, but former President Barack Obama is not planning to attend, according to a spokesman. Pope Francis meets with President Joe Biden during the G7 Leaders Summit on day two of the 50th G7 summit at Borgo Egnazia on June 14, 2024 in Fasano, Italy. Divisione Produzione Fotografica / Getty Images President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are set to fly Friday morning to Rome for the Saturday funeral. Pope Francis, who had battled health issues for months, died Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke. He has been lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica since Wednesday, where tens of thousands of mourners have come to pay their final respects. Among those heads of state attending the funeral will be Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Argentinian President Javier Milei. Gabrielle Aky contributed to this report.
CBS News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Biden expected to attend Pope Francis' funeral, sources say
Will Catholic Church look to Pope Francis as a model for the next leader? Pope Francis as a model for the next leader Pope Francis as a model for the next leader Former President Joe Biden, who maintained a close working and personal relationship with Pope Francis dating back to the late pontiff's visit to the United States in 2015, is expected to attend the papal funeral on Saturday in Vatican City, according to multiple people with knowledge of his plans. Though final details are still not yet set, Biden does intend to attend, the people said. Francis began his papacy in 2013 during the Obama administration, but former President Barack Obama is not planning to attend, according to a spokesman. Pope Francis meets with President Joe Biden during the G7 Leaders Summit on day two of the 50th G7 summit at Borgo Egnazia on June 14, 2024 in Fasano, Italy. Divisione Produzione Fotografica / Getty Images President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are set to fly Friday morning to Rome for the Saturday funeral. Pope Francis, who had battled health issues for months, died Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke. He has been lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica since Wednesday, where tens of thousands of mourners have come to pay their final respects. Among those heads of state attending the funeral will be Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Argentinian President Javier Milei.
