A Loon Call for Canada to Lead in Sustainable AI

Canada is uniquely positioned to drive artificial intelligence toward creating a positive difference in our collective fight against the climate crisis. Our robust research ecosystem and deep pool of tech talent means we can steer AI development toward making a positive difference in the struggle against global warming. That being said, we have to act faster and be more decisive if we want to effect truly meaningful change.

Tech and Nature: The Case for Sustainable AI

Long before its ascent to tech leadership in AI, Canada had a legacy of pioneering environmental conservation and technological advancements—two legacies that are surprisingly strongly intertwined. On the one hand, we’ve been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs for centuries. Take the Canadian Pacific Railway, for example—a monumental technological achievement of its time. I think it really encapsulates the nation’s innovative spirit, overcoming tricky terrain by pushing the boundaries of engineering and technology in its use of steam locomotives, track-laying machines, and innovative bridge-building techniques to physically unite Canada and Canadians from coast to coast. 

Then there are iconic figures like Yoshua Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton, often hailed as the “godfathers of AI”, who epitomize the country’s deep entrenchment in the AI revolution. We also boast world-class universities, research institutions, and innovation hubs specializing in AI, such as Mila (the Quebec AI Institute), the Montreal AI Ethics Institute, and the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Toronto. In fact, for a nation of its size, Canada is notorious for punching above its weight when it comes to its tech talent and the number of cleantech startups founded here.

On the other hand, Canada’s vast and varied landscapes, from the rocky shores of Newfoundland to the temperate rainforests of British Columbia, inspire an unwavering commitment to safeguarding our diverse ecosystems. Over the decades, Canada has woven tech and nature into its tapestry, balancing its technological aspirations with a deep-rooted respect for its natural heritage. 

And it’s this dual legacy that makes Canada’s current position at the intersection of AI and environmental sustainability both unique and fitting. It’s a little poetic, then, that the one may just end up saving the other.

Sounding the Alarm

Globally, many nations are waking up to technology’s potential to combat climate change challenges. Countries like Finland and Singapore are investing heavily in technological solutions for sustainability, particularly in power generation. But Canada’s approach stands out in its holistic nature. While a lot of countries focus on isolated AI solutions or specific sectors, Canada’s efforts encompass a broader spectrum, from academic research to startup innovation and from policy formulation to public awareness. This comprehensive approach, together with its historical commitment to both technology and environmental conservation, sets Canada apart on the global stage and underscores its potential leadership role in this critical juncture of human history.

I say “critical juncture” because we’re at a make-or-break moment in the global narrative of climate response. Heatwaves are hitting us with increasing intensity. The Rockies’ glaciers are receding. Wildfires are ripping through our forests and cities. And all of this is down to climate change. But it’s not like we’re being complacent. In fact, Canada is undoubtedly a global leader in sustainability, placing 14^th in 2023’s Green Future Index. But despite our efforts, we’re still seeing an alarming surge in emissions.

 

Possibly the most striking thing about this spike in Canada’s CO2 emissions is that almost two-thirds of it can be traced back to oil and gas production and our own buildings. It’s a kick in the gut; we’ve been pushing so hard for the creation and adoption of clean technologies and climate policies. And they’ve even been shown to work. But still, our numbers are up.   

Ironically, one reason our buildings are coughing up more carbon is down to the symptoms of climate change itself. Extra cold winters and hot summers have us cranking up either the heating or the AC, fuelling the cycle of emissions and exacerbating the problem. 

The Need for Speed: Accelerating Sustainable AI

Of course, no one needs to be reminded of how rapidly our planet is changing. Time is a luxury we can no longer afford when it comes to making good on the climate commitments from three months ago, let alone three years ago. Yet, amidst this urgency, we see tremendous advancements in technology, and more particularly, AI in Canada. 

We can see these advancements in cities across Canada today. Take the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), for example, where researchers are using AI modelling to warn farmers about risks to their crops as the weather becomes more unpredictable. Then there’s Montreal-based Scale AI, which works with grocery chains such as Save-on-Foods to identify purchasing patterns, predict demand, and reduce food waste. 

These aren’t just tentative trials; they’re resounding proof that AI has the potential to reshape our urban landscapes, drive down emissions, and carve out a more sustainable future. This hungry adoption of new and automated processes is seeing even the most traditional of industries, like real estate and cement manufacturing, lining up at the tech buffet. Their results are consistently satisfying, too. We have seen improved energy optimization, reduced emissions, the extension of equipment life—the list goes on.

This shift toward greater tech adoption is an important one for our climate. In Canada alone, our buildings account for almost one-fifth of the nation’s emissions, so the benefits of AI-driven solutions for buildings could make a major impact (with little upfront cost) on the nation’s drive to reduce its emissions. What’s more, our municipal and provincial leaders are increasingly being given opportunities to discuss global sustainability initiatives and lead by example. 

Public, Private, and Policy

But these advancements can’t thrive in isolation. Public awareness and education about the advantages of integrating sustainable AI and green tech is also important. That’s because it’s only through continuing to foster a culture of understanding, curiosity, and responsibility that Canadians can really be prepared to embrace and support the nation’s progress.

Naturally, the private sector’s role is also essential. There are a number of Canadian startups that are already harnessing AI for environmental solutions, from optimizing energy consumption in real time to predicting forest fires. However, the widespread adoption of these solutions can’t take place without robust policies and timely incentives. 

Government grants, tax breaks, and incentives are necessary to bolster our startup ecosystem and drive innovation at a grassroots level. That’s why the Canadian and provincial governments’ roles in providing regulatory frameworks and financial support are so pivotal in fostering a thriving AI ecosystem that supports sustainable cities.

Procrastinating on these fronts carries two-fold consequences; we’ll fall short of our environmental targets and our capacity to drive global climate action will diminish. It’s only by nurturing the collaboration between AI research, industry innovation, public awareness, and supportive policies that Canada can emerge as a trailblazer in environmental stewardship. 

In short: We’ve got to leap forward and take bold(er) actions.

Bracing for Impact: How to Approach the Adoption of Sustainable AI

With this in mind, Canada’s aspiration to make its mark on the global sustainability stage hinges on a holistic strategy that’s inextricably intertwined with AI. That’s because AI-driven interventions, with their unparalleled and instantaneous data processing capabilities, are a critical component to swiftly navigating the complexities of climate change and reaching our environmental targets. 

However, amidst this exuberance, a note of caution is necessary. Calls for the measured and regulated deployment of AI are valid and must be considered. After all, AI has an incredibly powerful (positive and negative) transformative potential, as underscored by the global move towards legislating AI and Canada’s efforts to impose guardrails on AI’s deployment in the field. These regulatory moves only highlight the urgency for top-down action to move the needle on AI for the good of the planet.

Canada at the Nexus: Marrying AI and Sustainability for Good

And so, this is where Canada finds itself: At a crossroads between a path paved with complacency and another packed with the promise of innovation and impact. As the speed of AI’s development continues to challenge our conventional timelines and its potential impacts loom large, now is the time for the nation to take up knitting, skillfully intertwining policy and public education with sustainability and technology. With the right mix of urgency, innovation, and stewardship, Canada won’t just be poised to meet its environmental goals. It will be leading the world in showcasing the revolutionary symbiosis between AI and sustainability.