Canada’s AI Strategy Omits Copyright Protections, Government Promises Future Action

Canada’s new federal artificial intelligence strategy, spanning 50 pages, conspicuously omits any mention of copyright protections for Canadian content creators. The term “copyright” does not appear once in the document, despite the strategy’s references to intellectual property in the context of supporting AI researchers and innovators.

The absence of copyright considerations has drawn criticism and surprise from policy experts and creators alike. Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood, a senior researcher and political economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, expressed his astonishment to Global News, noting that copyright concerns have been a persistent issue in the generative AI industry for the past three years.

Last summer, Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon’s office indicated plans to address copyright within the AI strategy, emphasizing the importance of creators’ roles in safeguarding cultural sovereignty. However, these commitments did not materialize in the final strategy document.

In an interview, Solomon’s parliamentary secretary, Taleeb Noormohamed, acknowledged the omission and assured that work on copyright protections is ongoing. He described the strategy as a “living document” not intended to cover every aspect of AI policy at once.

Noormohamed highlighted that there are “ongoing conversations” between Minister Solomon and Culture Minister Marc Miller, alongside consultations with artistic and creative sectors. These stakeholders have made the importance of copyright protection “very, very clear,” he said.

“We’ve heard them loud and clear, and we know that that’s something that has to be addressed. They are not going to be forgotten through this process, certainly not,” Noormohamed stated.

When asked why copyright was excluded from the strategy, Noormohamed reiterated that the government recognizes its critical importance and that future policy measures will address these concerns.

The AI strategy’s silence on copyright protections has sparked public commentary and skepticism. Some commentators have criticized the government’s approach, questioning the strategy’s comprehensiveness and the allocation of resources toward its development.

Despite the current gap, federal officials’ assurances suggest that copyright protection for Canadian creators will be a focus in subsequent AI policy initiatives. The government’s engagement with creative industries indicates a commitment to balancing innovation with the rights of content producers.

As AI technologies continue to evolve and increasingly incorporate creative works, the resolution of copyright issues remains a pressing challenge for policymakers worldwide, including Canada.

The federal government encourages stakeholders and the public to stay tuned for updates as consultations and policy development proceed.