Canada contributes to global collaboration on responsible AI at the International AI Standards Summit 2025

AI is moving faster than the rules that govern it - and without global alignment, innovation, trade and public trust are at risk.

That urgency brought Canada to Seoul for the International AI Standards Summit 2025, where 250 global leaders from 64 countries convened to accelerate cooperation on responsible AI.

Canada brought a delegation of policy leaders, technical experts and innovators to the Summit to contribute to a global conversation on how the world will govern artificial intelligence.

The Summit marked the launch of the Seoul Statement on Artificial Intelligence, a shared commitment by ISO, International Electrotechnical Commission, (IEC) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to advance AI that supports human wellbeing and a digital future that is open, inclusive, sustainable, fair, safe and secure.

The Seoul Statement reinforces the role of international standards and conformity assessment in building trust in AI systems. It highlights how standards can accelerate cooperation across borders, enable interoperability to enhance regulatory alignment, and help narrow digital divides so that the benefits of AI are accessible to all.

Canada was represented by Alexandra Dostal from Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada(ISED); Shawn Paulsen from the Canadian National Committee to the IEC; Jutta Treviranus from the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University; Halak Shrivastava from Cohere; Lyse Langlois, CEO of OBVIA; Tania Saba, Professor at the School of Industrial Relations at the University of Montreal; Chantal Guay CEO of Standards Council of Canada; and Anneke Olvera from the Standards Council of Canada. Together they brought Canadian perspectives on the need for strong collaboration between industry government academia and civil society.

Their participation signals Canada's commitment to shaping international AI standards that reflect our values support responsible innovation and strengthen economic and social outcomes at home and around the world.

From left to right: Anneke Olvera, Director, Programs, Standards Council of Canada; Lyse Langlois, CEO OBVIA; Chantal Guay, CEO, Standards Council of Canada; Shawn Paulsen, President, Canadian National Committee to the IEC; Jutta Treviranus, Director and Professor, Inclusive Design Research Centre, OCAD University; Tania Saba, Full Professor at the School of Industrial Relations at the University of Montreal

Why this Summit matters

AI is reshaping industries, public services and economies. As governments develop new frameworks for AI governance, the global landscape is becoming increasingly complex. Divergent regulatory requirements risk creating barriers for businesses, challenges for innovators and uncertainty for users.

Summit discussions emphasized how international standards act as practical tools to close these gaps by:

• bridging different regulatory approaches
• supporting safe and responsible AI development
• enabling interoperability across borders
• building public trust in AI systems
• reducing costs and trade barriers for organizations adopting AI
  

This shared foundation is critical for ensuring AI benefits people, communities, and economies around the world.

Photo: Halak Shrivastava of Cohere discusses socio-technical approaches to AI governance, highlighting standards as a shared social contract and the importance of inclusive, interdisciplinary participation in addressing bias and ensuring fairness in high-stakes sectors.

Canada's role and contributions

Representing Canada, our delegation took part in strategic discussions on:

• ensuring international standards evolve in step with AI's capabilities
• strengthening public-private collaboration in AI governance
• embedding safety, accountability, and sustainability across the AI lifecycle
• enhancing global cooperation to reduce fragmentation

Our participation reflects Canada's commitment to helping shape the international frameworks that support responsible AI and ensure that global standards reflect Canadian values and priorities.

Photo: In the "Global Perspectives on AI - Where Next?" session, Alexandra Dostal highlights Canada's commitment to trusted, interoperable, human-centered AI and emphasizes the role of international standards in strengthening safety, accountability and regulatory alignment.

Key themes from the Summit

Discussions throughout the 2-day program focused on several recurring themes:

Global alignment is essential

Participants highlighted the urgent need for international cooperation to ensure AI systems work safely and consistently across borders.

International Standards are practical tools for trust and scale

Standards are increasingly seen as a bridge between regulatory frameworks, providing clear, implementable requirements that support both innovation and public protection.

Public-private leadership drives progress

Meaningful collaboration between governments, industry, academia, and civil society is necessary to ensure AI governance is both effective and future focused.

Human rights must be embedded into AI governance

A strong theme across the Summit was the need to integrate human rights considerations into AI design and deployment. Participants emphasized that international standards could provide practical guidance to help organizations uphold fairness, transparency and fundamental rights throughout the AI lifecycle.

Action is needed now

Leaders emphasized the importance of moving from principles to implementation-ensuring the AI systems being deployed today to reflect global expectations for safety, transparency, and fairness.

Photo: Jutta Treviranus, Director and Professor at the Inclusive Design Research Centre, OCAD University, moderates a panel at the International [AI Standards] Summit in Seoul, Korea, guiding discussions on human-centered, inclusive approaches to AI and the role of international standards in supporting them.

What's next

We will continue working closely with international partners, standards bodies, and Canadian interested parties to strengthen AI standards development and contribute to global alignment efforts. Insights from the Summit will directly support Canada's role in the international AI standards community and inform future work across SCC's AI-related initiatives.