A recent poll reveals that a significant majority of Canadians favor government regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure its ethical and safe use. Conducted by Leger, the survey found that 85% of respondents believe AI tools should be regulated. Among those, 57% expressed strong support for regulation.

The online poll surveyed 1,518 Canadians from August 22 to August 25. While many Canadians advocate for regulation, opinions on AI's societal impact vary. The poll indicated that 34% of respondents view AI positively, while 36% consider it harmful. Approximately 31% remain uncertain about its effects.

Jennifer McLeod Macey, senior vice-president of public affairs at Leger, noted, "We know that public opinion around different types of AI varies in terms of how much we trust AI or how concerned we are with it. It won’t be a one-size-fits-all; it’s really quite nuanced."

AI's presence is growing across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and government. A separate survey by Ipsos Public Affairs found that 56% of Canadians using AI tools report increased productivity at work. This figure rises to 69% among Gen Z users but drops to 50% for Gen X and 38% for Baby Boomers.

Trust in AI varies significantly. According to the Leger poll, 64% of Canadians would trust AI for simple household tasks or educational support. However, only 36% would trust it for health advice, and just 31% for legal advice. A mere 18% believe AI could effectively replace teachers.

Concerns about AI's potential risks are echoed by experts. Steve DiPaola, a researcher and professor at Simon Fraser University, highlighted the dangers of deepfakes, which can misrepresent individuals in media. He stated, "Regulating deep fakes, surely taking someone’s persona, and we’re seeing more and more of this in social media where there’s celebrities or even politicians who appear to be in front of you like a TV commercial selling something that in fact they’ve never approved."

DiPaola also mentioned his plans to use an AI “sidekick” named “Kia” to explore ethical principles related to AI. He believes this approach will help prepare students for future workplaces where AI is prevalent.

Despite the public's call for regulation, Canada’s AI Minister Evan Solomon has indicated a shift in focus. In a recent speech, he stated that the government would prioritize AI adoption over strict regulation. The Trudeau government previously introduced an AI regulation bill aimed at high-impact systems, but it did not pass before the election was called. It remains uncertain whether this bill will be reintroduced.

The poll also revealed that 78% of respondents believe AI tools pose a threat to human jobs. Nearly half, or 46%, expressed concerns that reliance on AI could lead to cognitive decline or make them "intellectually lazy."

The Canadian Research Insights Council notes that online surveys like this one cannot be assigned a margin of error due to their non-random sampling methods. As discussions about AI regulation continue, the government has committed to ensuring responsible and safe AI use in Canada.