Artificial intelligence isn’t the top student in Canada’s class of dominating issues

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During his visit to Montreal to promote the new federal budget, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans for a $2.4 billion fund to manage the growth of artificial intelligence (AI). While AI safety is indeed paramount, some of this federal funding should be invested in resolving the surprising trend of student overflows in schools across Canada.

The funding under budget 2024 will cover the technical infrastructure and legal policies needed to address ethical concerns for AI while strategically positioning Canada within technology’s growing market. The money includes $2 billion for AI computing access and research, as well as $200 million for start-ups to integrate this tech into several industries from agriculture to health care. 

There will also be $50 million devoted to an AI Safety Institute of Canada that will instill safety measures against risks imposed by AI systems. Another $5.1 million will go to governmental efforts of enforcing Bill C-27’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Act that will hold businesses responsible for any AI abuse.

Given the budget’s breakdown of AI funding and the growing imperative for Canada to get ahead of AI technology, student enrolment problems may sound like a smaller issue in comparison.

However, while governments are dealing with the impending rise of AI programs, families with kids going to school aren’t thinking about AI respectively. Families and children still face the fact that there are more students than there are schools to accommodate them. 

In an interview with CityNews, Surrey Board of Education Deputy Supt. Andrew Holland said that with the recent school year exceeding 800 student admission averages with 3,089 students, Surrey schools are expecting up to 2,500 additional enrolments this September.

As admission slots quickly fill up and limited funding can’t handle the unprecedented student numbers, Surrey schools have been forced to turn away registrations. Consequently, parents must deal with the stress of figuring out options for their children’s education. 

Beyond B.C., other Canadian schools throughout the country have reported similar grievances with student overpopulation. 

The Kaawaate East City Public School in Peterborough, Ontario faces an admissions prospect of 847 students at the start of the new school year when the space can only fit 675 students, Global News reported.  

The CBC reported Edmonton high schools anticipate space won’t be available by 2027, despite a school being constructed for the fall. This reality incited school boards to request $580 million in provincial funding to expand their district with over 10,000 new student spaces.

Compounding these school worries with the high costs in food, gas, rent, and other daily goods and services, it’s safe to say that students and families have a lot on their minds rather than AI security. 

Opponents of my view could argue that financing AI safety takes priority over improving student admission acceptance. The looming harms of AI have ranged from job searching discrimination against minority groups to creating misleading digital content known as “deepfake” media.

Despite the federal budget’s financial plans for AI, BNN Bloomberg reported that Canada still lacks an official law governing the technology. As for the data act, it’s still undergoing discussions and, assuming its umbrella legislation Bill C-27 is implemented, this policy won’t take effect until 2025. The demand for AI-centric responsibility is evidently undeniable. 

To be fair, B.C.’s budget and fiscal plan includes a $968 million fund to address student growth in the province, so enrolment struggles aren’t in complete straits. Still, student overpopulation needs more attention Canada-wide. Whereas AI doesn’t have to worry about sending their kids to school, families do. 

Regardless of how small it may seem in comparison to the world-reaching power of AI, students need to be supported so they can access a future where school is always possible.