AI expands in Saskatchewan amid growing concerns

AI expands in Saskatchewan amid growing concerns

Hundreds attend artificial intelligence expo in Saskatoon as governments grapple with impact on children

Artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of Saskatchewan's economy, even as concerns are raised about the technology and, particularly, its effects on children.

Hundreds attended an artificial intelligence expo Monday in Saskatoon, two days after Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a social media ban for teens that will include AI chatbots.

Alex Fallon founded Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan, or AiSK, two years ago and the expo held at Prairieland Park marked its largest event, attracting 427 registered participants.

"I think artificial intelligence is that new frontier and that technology frontier," Fallon said in an interview. "So it's new, it's not well understood. Anytime you have that situation you get a … lot of concern and ethical issues. So those need to be addressed."

Those attending the expo seemed more interested in the potential of AI than the peril.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his government will soon be mailing out surveys — pre-stamped so they can be easily returned — on a potential social media ban for children.

Moe has said he believes a potential ban would be better handled by the federal government, which has said it is receptive to the idea.

Australia became the first country to ban social media for children late last year. But Brian McQuinn, a researcher and associate professor at the University of Regina, said the effects from AI chatbots could be far more severe.

"We failed, utterly and totally failed, our youth and our children in how we managed social media," McQuinn said in an interview this weekend.

"We cannot fail when it comes to AI chatbots, because the power of these systems is so much more profound. And, as a parent, if we fail them on this we will regret it for a generation."

Despite the concerns about AI, the technology also keeps expanding in Saskatchewan - and not just the AI data centre being built near Regina.

Fallon from AiSK said Saskatchewan is leading in many areas in terms of introducing AI.

"It's not only in the tech and entrepreneurship sector, but it's mining, agriculture, but even in professional services, accounting, legal," he said.

Poppy can respond to her name and reacts to a human waving by waving back. Her eyes appear to squint when processing her surroundings.

Poppy, as you might have guessed, is a humanoid robot on display at the expo — a product of Southeast College and the Southeast Techhub in Estevan, Sask.

"It is a community designed and built robot," Gordon More of Southeast Techhub said at the expo.

Poppy's designers and builders included students in high school and at the University of Regina.

Poppy can engage in conversations using AI, More said, but there was too much noise at the expo for that function to work.

The black robot's operation can hardly be described as smooth, but More said it's all part of the journey.

"Rural Saskatchewan has an innovation culture," More said. "This proves that rural Saskatchewan can build some pretty amazing things together."

Phil Tank is an award-winning journalist based in Saskatoon. He can be reached at phil.tank@cbc.ca.