Canada pushes AI governance at UN as a multilateral path to safe, equitable adoption

Canada is elevating AI governance at the United Nations as a core priority, arguing that a multilateral forum is essential to balance safety, equity, and adoption among both tech giants and emerging economies. For AI builders, this signals that global regulatory norms are taking shape and that cross-border deployment will increasingly face coordinated oversight.

What happened

Canada's UN ambassador David Lametti told The Canadian Press that AI governance is something the UN has a responsibility to do. He described the UN as "perhaps the only institution in the world that can convene that kind of discussion on a more or less equal footing between Meta, Amazon Web, Microsoft, Apple and Google - and all of these other countries."

Lametti, who officially started his role last November, says AI has taken up between 10 and 15 percent of his time. He noted "definitely alignment" on the need for AI safety, as well as concerns from emerging economies, particularly in Asia, that they might be left behind. AI was also a major theme at the G7 summit in France, where leading economies sought consensus on regulation without hurting economic growth.

Lametti brings prior experience from his time as federal justice minister and as a McGill law professor, where he worked on AI governance more than a decade ago. He will attend the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva next month.

In May, Lametti hosted the chair of the International AI Safety Report at Canada's UN mission. That report noted risks ranging from blackmail, loneliness, information manipulation and cyberattacks to biological and chemical weapons development. Last June, Canada co-hosted a panel with Brazil on how inclusive AI can empower people with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and women - and further inequalities if not properly used.

Why AI builders should care

UN-level AI governance can influence global regulatory norms and platform accountability, potentially shaping how tech giants operate and how safe, equitable AI is adopted internationally. As emerging economies seek a voice in adoption, builders should plan for international collaboration and anticipate regulatory scrutiny that may affect deployment and cross-border AI products.

Lametti emphasized that 190-odd countries don't just want to be technology-takers; they want a voice in adoption. This means market access for AI products may increasingly depend on compliance with emerging multilateral standards.

Practical implications

Participation in UN discussions and alignment with safety-focused frameworks may influence how AI policies are designed in customer-facing products, transparency practices, and risk disclosures. Builders should monitor UN and G7 discussions and the AI for Good Global Summit for signals about potential regulatory directions and international partnerships.

Canada's domestic AI governance is also evolving. The federal government's Directive on Automated Decision-Making already requires algorithmic impact assessments and transparency measures for government programs, which can serve as a reference for organizations building AI products.

Caveats

Policy priorities may evolve with new UN discussions and summits, so current positions could shift. The factual frame relies primarily on a single source (The Globe and Mail) for Lametti's statements, which may not capture the full spectrum of UN discourse. Additionally, the specific regulatory outcomes from these discussions remain uncertain, and builders should watch for concrete proposals rather than broad alignment statements.

FAQs

What is AI governance and why is it discussed at the United Nations?

AI governance refers to the rules, norms, and mechanisms designed to ensure AI is developed and used safely, ethically, and for broad benefit. The United Nations serves as a multilateral platform where nearly 200 countries can discuss and set high-level norms, balancing the interests of major tech companies and emerging economies. The UN's Global Dialogue on AI Governance has identified seven thematic areas including safety, human rights, transparency, and interoperability of governance approaches.

How is Canada promoting safe and equitable AI adoption at the UN?

Canada's UN ambassador David Lametti has made AI governance a personal priority, spending 10-15% of his time on the issue. Canada is pushing for safe and equitable AI adoption, arguing that the UN is the only forum where all countries can participate on equal footing alongside major tech platforms. Canada has co-hosted panels with Brazil on inclusive AI and hosted the chair of the International AI Safety Report at its UN mission.

Who is David Lametti and what is his role as Canada's UN ambassador regarding AI?

David Lametti is Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, appointed by Prime Minister Mark Carney. He previously worked on AI governance as federal justice minister and as a McGill University law professor. Lametti says AI governance aligns with Canada's priorities on AI safety and development, and he will attend the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.

What are the main AI risks highlighted in UN discussions?

The International AI Safety Report, discussed at Canada's UN mission, highlighted risks including blackmail, information manipulation, cyberattacks, and potential misuse for biological and chemical weapons development. Canada and Brazil have also co-hosted panels on how AI can empower marginalized groups but also worsen inequalities if not properly governed.