Focused on Ottawa and AI, BC's secure supply is explored

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Ottawa has used AI in hundreds of initiatives

Canada's federal government has used artificial intelligence in nearly 300 projects and initiatives, new research has found, including helping to predict the outcome of tax cases, sorting temporary visa applications and promoting diversity in hiring.

Joanna Redden, associate professor at Western University, compiled the database using news reports, documents tabled in Parliament and access to information requests.

Of the 303 automated tools in Wednesday's registry, 95 percent were used by federal government agencies.

“There needs to be more public debate about what systems should be used and more information about how those systems are being used,” Redden said in an interview.

It exposes the data problem with the Liberal government's proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act, the first federal bill to focus on AI.

Scientific studies have emerged on the safe provision of BC

Two studies in international medical journals contrast the strategy in peer-reviewed research on the potential effects of British Columbia's Safe Delivery Program, which offers prescription alternatives to toxic illicit drugs.

One found that the program was associated with a lower risk of death from overdose and other causes among opioid-using participants, and the other concluded that the strategy was associated with a significant increase in hospitalizations for opioid overdoses in the community.

The authors of the studies note that the two sets of results are not contradictory; instead, they ask different questions about the policies introduced in 2020.

The security policy has since become a lightning rod for critics, including federal opposition leader Pierre Polievre, who has vowed to shut it down if he becomes prime minister.

A man accused of killing a policeman to continue his testimony

A man accused of running over a Toronto police officer nearly three years ago is expected to continue testifying in court today.

Umar Zamir has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Det. Const. Jeffrey Northrup died on July 2, 2021 after being hit by a car in an underground parking lot.

During his first appearance on the stand Tuesday, Zamir described the events that led to his encounter with police that night.

He recalled coming to downtown Toronto with his pregnant wife and young son because they wanted to take part in the Canada Day festivities.

The court heard Northrup and his partner – both plainclothes – were investigating the stabbing when they entered a garage below Toronto City Hall. Zamir was not involved in the stabbing.

A stuffed whale calf has captured the heart of a small BC town

Just after 10 a.m., Yvonne Malanfant brewed fresh coffee and placed a plate of homemade quesadillas with spicy mayonnaise on the table for everyone to share.

A small bell above his door rings, announcing that another local has arrived to pick up their mail and catch up on the latest happenings.

At the small Canada Post branch in Zeballos, customer traffic has been brisk over the past two weeks as residents gather to talk about the drama unfolding in the nearby tidal lagoon, where rescue efforts are underway for a tragically missing killer whale calf. his mother.

“It's amazing,” said Malanfant, the postmaster of the community of about 200 residents. “It's amazing what's happening. It makes news every night.”

Hunters, loggers, fishing guides and local and non-native residents say they are deeply concerned about the condition and rescue efforts of a two-year-old orca calf that has been alone in Little Espinoza Inlet since March. can't come fast.

Walmart Canada equips warehouses with robots

In a warehouse the size of eight football fields in Calgary, an army of robots scurry around carrying large quantities of goods for Walmart Canada customers.

Some robots move around a large facility carrying pallets of goods with their cargo trucks. Another, which looks like a giant hand, moves pallets onto conveyor belts. The third group is signifiers.

Together, they cut the time it takes to get products from trailers to the facility by 90 percent, and their boss, Walmart Canada, hopes that's just the beginning. He plans to spend the next five years in Mississauga and Cornwall, Ont. plans to bring robots to its distribution centers.

“We're very excited about what we've done in Calgary and we're excited to expand it and bring it to our other sites,” said Matt Kelly, Walmart Canada's vice president of supply chain.

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This Canadian Press report was first published on April 11, 2024

Canadian Press

People walk past the AI ​​sign at the All In conference on artificial intelligence, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in Montreal. Canada's federal government has used artificial intelligence in nearly 300 projects and initiatives, new research has found, including helping to predict the outcome of tax cases, sorting temporary visa applications and promoting diversity in hiring. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiortz

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