TELUS Becomes First Canadian Operator to Join U.S. AI Safety Consortium
TELUS announced that it has joined more than 280 leading artificial intelligence (AI) stakeholders to participate in a U.S. Department of Commerce initiative to support the development and deployment of trustworthy and safe AI – the first Canadian telecom to do so. telus AI Safety Consortium
Established by the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on February 8, 2024, the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) brings together AI creators and users, academics, government and industry researchers, and civil society organizations to meet this mission.
“At TELUS, we are determined to harness the power of technology to create a better future. Our involvement in the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium underscores our commitment to responsible AI, ensuring that AI is developed and deployed in a trustworthy, ethical manner that is safe and benefits everyone,” said Pam Snively, Chief Data & Trust Officer at TELUS. “We look forward to collaborating with other industry leaders, academics, and organizations to advance the standards and practices that will shape the future of AI responsibly.”
The consortium includes more than 280 member companies and organizations that are on the frontlines of developing and using AI systems, as well as the civil society and academic teams that are building the foundational understanding of how AI can and will transform our society. These entities represent the nation’s largest companies and its innovative startups; creators of the world’s most advanced AI systems and hardware; key members of civil society and the academic community; and representatives of professions with deep engagement in AI’s use today.
The consortium also includes state and local governments, as well as non-profits. The consortium will also work with organizations from like-minded nations that have a key role to play in setting interoperable and effective safety standards around the world.
TELUS has been at the forefront of AI ethics, continuously striving to set new benchmarks in the industry. It recently made history with its generative AI (GenAI) customer support tool, powered by Fuel iX, an enterprise-grade AI engine designed by TELUS International (rebranding to TELUS Digital Experience later in the third quarter) to help companies deploy and manage customized GenAI solutions at scale, becoming the first in the world to be internationally certified in Privacy by Design (ISO 31700-1). telus AI Safety Consortium
TELUS won an international Outstanding Organization 2023 prize from the Responsible AI Institute in recognition of its commitment to fostering trust and benefitting society. It is also the first telecom company in Canada to sign the Government of Canada’s voluntary code of conduct for generative AI, which aims to ensure the transparent, equitable and responsible development and deployment of GenAI technology.
