G7 members agree to increase use of artificial intelligence in public sector

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OTTAWA — In a joint statement, G7 countries said Tuesday they will work together to expand the use of artificial intelligence in the public sector.

The idea is to improve the quality of government services and increase government efficiency.

The statement was issued Tuesday as the global summit was wrapping up in Kananaskis, Alta.

It said Canada will use its G7 presidency to host a series of “rapid solution labs” looking at barriers to AI adoption in the public sector.

G7 members also agreed to develop a “road map” for successful AI projects and a catalogue of “open-source and shareable AI solutions for members.”

The G7 nations pledged to support adoption of artificial intelligence by small and medium-size businesses.

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The statement says G7 countries will work to address AI’s heavy energy consumption and increase access to AI in developing countries.

“We recognize that increased AI adoption will place growing pressure on our energy grids, produce negative externalities and have implications for energy security, resilience and affordability,” the G7 statement said.

It said member countries also “hear the concerns of emerging market and developing country partners about the challenges they face in building resilient AI ecosystems, including the risks of disruption and exclusion from today’s technological revolution.”

The seven countries also issued a “common vision” for emerging quantum technologies committing them to promoting “public and private investment in quantum science and technology.”