Advocates urge Canadian lawmakers to safeguard women and LGBTQ+ groups in AI rollout

A parliamentary committee on the status of women heard testimony from specialists who cautioned that Canada’s artificial-intelligence agenda could marginalise women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals unless safeguards are built in. Speakers argued that AI systems inherit biases from historical data, risking the codification of discrimination in areas like hiring, education and health services. They called for greater participation of under-represented groups in AI design and governance.

The federal strategy promises to revise legislation and standards to protect vulnerable populations from online abuse and biased algorithms. International reports have shown that generative AI disproportionately affects female-dominated occupations and may reinforce gender stereotypes, underscoring the need for a national data strategy.