OTTAWA, CANADA / RankWire.AI / – Prime Minister Mark Carney has formed a national council aimed at guiding Canada’s artificial intelligence policies and implementation strategies. The Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence officially commenced its activities following the announcement on October 2, 2026. Its purpose is to advise the federal government on issues related to AI safety, economic integration, public service deployment, and the development of sovereign technological capabilities. Additionally, the council will scrutinize infrastructure, talent development, research initiatives, and potential risks associated with the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence within Canada.
Bringing together experts from sectors such as technology, research, finance, government, and national security, the advisory group features notable members including Yoshua Bengio, Sanja Fidler, Ajay Agrawal, Valérie Pisano, Michelle Zatlyn, and former national security adviser Jody Thomas. Senators Thomas Pitfield and John Graham, along with Gillian Hadfield, Jordan Jacobs, Eric Lamarre, and Louis Vachon, also serve on the council, with Patrick Pichette participating as an ex officio member. Support for the council’s work will be provided by a dedicated team from the Privy Council Office.
While the council is restricted from creating or enforcing federal policies independently, it will offer advice to support Canada’s broader AI agenda, which encompasses adoption, public confidence, Canadian technology firms, and domestic infrastructure. Its scope also includes governance, safety measures, and safeguarding democratic institutions. Mark Carney’s administration explicitly connected this new body to the national AI for All framework.
Strategic goals for AI adoption and growth outlined
Canada launched its AI for All initiative in June 2026 as the nation’s comprehensive artificial intelligence strategy. This plan centers on trust, economic opportunity, and maintaining Canadian control over essential capabilities, structured around six pillars that address public protection, skills development, business integration, sovereign infrastructure, national companies, and international collaborations. The strategy also emphasizes privacy, online safety, and the security of government systems, portraying itself as a coordinated effort to foster AI growth across the public and private sectors.
To measure progress, the federal government has set specific targets, including increasing AI adoption from just over 12% to 60% by 2034, generating an additional C$200 billion in economic growth, and creating 250,000 AI-related jobs within five years. The strategy also aims to generate up to 90,000 jobs and provide work placements for young Canadians, with a commitment of up to C$162 million for 10,000 AI-focused placements through Mitacs AI Advantage in September.
AI-focused digital efforts align with broader modernization goals
The council arrives amid Canada’s push to enhance digital technology use across federal agencies. In September 2026, the government introduced Digital Transformation Canada to overhaul systems and streamline technology procurement processes. This initiative merges Shared Services Canada with select functions from various federal bodies to improve the development, purchase, and deployment of digital tools. Patrick Pichette became CEO on September 9, 2026, and his role also makes him an ex officio member of the national AI council.
The Prime Minister’s National Council on Artificial Intelligence will serve as a recommending body as Canada’s AI program evolves, covering areas such as adoption, workforce needs, public services, infrastructure, safety, and national technological capacity. It will also focus on governance and the protection of democratic systems from AI-related risks, with federal departments responsible for policy implementation and program management. Operating within this framework, the council will function as an advisory entity, with the AI for All strategy remaining the primary federal platform guiding Canada’s national AI efforts.