Overview
With deep expertise and a legacy of research leadership, Canada plays a vital role in advancing global understanding of AI risks. The Canadian AI Safety Institute (CAISI) Research Program at CIFAR drives Canadian-led, multidisciplinary research to tackle both immediate and long-term safety challenges posed by advanced AI systems. By combining rapid-response projects with long-term collaboration, the CAISI Research Program at CIFAR fosters innovation, builds national research capacity, and develops practical tools for responsible AI development and deployment.
The CAISI Research Program at CIFAR is one component of the Canadian AI Safety Institute, launched by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. CAISI works with global partners to build a shared understanding of AI risks. The National Research Council of Canada supports this effort through a government-led research program focused on national priorities like cybersecurity and security.
AI Safety News
AI and Society
Building safer AI with advanced evaluation methods
December 03, 2025
AI and Society
CIFAR launches new AI safety Networks to address synthetic evidence in the legal system and linguistic inequality
November 19, 2025
AI Safety
Calls open for global AI alignment research initiative
August 05, 2025
AI and Society
CIFAR announces first AI safety Catalyst Grants under new national program
June 04, 2025
AI and Society
CAISI Research Program at CIFAR announces council membership
February 03, 2025
AI and Society
Nicolas Papernot and Catherine Régis appointed Co-Directors of the CAISI Research Program at CIFAR
December 12, 2024
AI and Society
Government of Canada announces Canadian AI Safety Institute
November 12, 2024
AI and Society
Beyond privacy: it’s time for a rights-based approach to regulating AI for children
April 24, 2024Recent updates
January 2025
CIFAR and the University of Waterloo Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute are partnering on a special issue of the Canadian Public Policy journal on “AI Safety and Public Policy in Canada”.
December 12, 2024
Nicolas Papernot and Catherine Régis appointed Co-Directors of the CAISI Research Program at CIFAR
November 12, 2024
AI Safety Research Projects
Solution Networks in AI safety
Solution Networks are collaborative opportunities for multidisciplinary teams led by a core group of up to six individuals who work together to develop approaches and applications (solutions) to current sociotechnical challenges and opportunities related to mitigating the risks of advanced AI systems.
Call for expressions for Solution Networks in AI Safety are now closed.
AI Safety Catalyst Grants
AI Safety Catalyst Grants are designed to support research projects advancing fundamental and applied research in AI safety.
CAISI Research Council
Co-Directors
The CAISI Research Program at CIFAR is guided by a council of experts, led by two Co-Directors.
Co-Director, Canadian AI Safety Institute Research Program (CAISI) at CIFAR; Canada CIFAR AI Chair; Vector Institute
Co-Director, Canadian AI Safety Institute Research Program (CAISI) at CIFAR; Canada CIFAR AI Chair; Mila
Members
The Council is comprised of research experts (members at large) and representatives from CIFAR and the National Research Council, drawing on extensive expertise at Canada’s three National AI Institutes: Mila in Montréal, Amii in Edmonton, and the Vector Institute in Toronto.
Director, AI Trust & Safety, Amii
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Computer Science, University of British Columbia
Chief Digital Research Officer and Science Officer, National Research Council
Canada CIFAR AI Chair, Vector Institute
Vice President, AI Engineering, Vector Institute
Vice President, Policy, Safety and Global Affairs, Mila
Canada CIFAR AI Chair, Mila
Canada CIFAR AI Chair, Amii
Executive Director, the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, CIFAR
Contact us
Have questions about the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy?
