Canada’s Spy Watchdog Investigates AI Use in National Security

Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) is conducting a comprehensive examination of how artificial intelligence (AI) is utilized in national security activities. The review aims to assess the governance and implications of AI technologies within various security agencies across the country. This initiative comes as part of a broader commitment to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of advanced technologies.

Scope of the Review

The NSIRA has already reached out to federal ministers and key organizations involved in national security, announcing its intent to analyze how the security community defines, employs, and oversees AI applications. According to Marie Deschamps, chair of the review agency, the findings will shed light on the use of these emerging tools and identify potential gaps or risks that may necessitate further scrutiny.

Canadian security agencies have increasingly incorporated AI into various functions, including document translation and malware detection. The review process will include a range of information-gathering methods such as document requests, briefings, interviews, and even independent technical inspections of certain systems.

Engagement with Key Stakeholders

Letters detailing the review were sent to multiple cabinet members, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, and Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety. Other recipients included Defence Minister David McGuinty, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, and Industry Minister Mélaine Joly. The correspondence also extended to heads of agencies with significant security roles, such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE).

Interestingly, the letter was also directed at organizations that may not traditionally be associated with security, including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada. This broad outreach underscores the review’s intent to understand the extensive application of AI across various sectors.

In response to inquiries regarding the review, the RCMP expressed its support for independent assessments of national security activities. “We believe that establishing transparent and accountable external review processes is critical to maintaining public confidence and trust,” stated the RCMP in a recent media release.

Guiding Principles and Future Implications

A report from a federal advisory body in 2024 emphasized the necessity for Canada’s security agencies to provide detailed public disclosures regarding their current and planned uses of AI technologies. The National Security Transparency Advisory Group highlighted the increasing reliance on AI for analyzing large volumes of data and recognizing patterns.

Both CSIS and CSE acknowledged the importance of being transparent about AI usage but noted that certain limitations exist due to security protocols. The federal government’s principles for AI usage emphasize openness about its application, along with assessing and managing risks to legal rights and democratic norms from the outset. Furthermore, training for public officials in AI-related matters is deemed essential to navigate legal, ethical, and operational challenges.

In its latest annual report, CSIS indicated that it is implementing AI pilot programs consistent with these guiding principles. Meanwhile, the RCMP has outlined several key factors to ensure AI’s legal, ethical, and responsible use, including careful system design to avoid bias and discrimination and maintaining transparency in AI decision-making processes.

The CSE’s artificial intelligence strategy emphasizes the development of new capabilities to address critical problems through responsible AI and machine learning technologies. Caroline Xavier, head of the CSE, highlighted the agency’s commitment to adopting AI thoughtfully, ensuring that human oversight remains integral to the process.

As Canada embarks on this critical review, the integration of AI in national security continues to raise important questions about governance, transparency, and the ethical implications of rapidly advancing technology.