Artificial Intelligence and the Law in Canada

"I would recommend that my fellow legal information professionals read the chapters on equality by design, legal ethics, judicial decision-making, and legal analytics. At the very least, most of us are using legal research tools that leverage AI, while some of our colleagues are increasingly involved in legal operations and in selecting legal technology. To the extent that these chapters reference technologies with which legal information professionals may be called upon to interact, it is important for us to be aware of the risks and opportunities relating to their use and any legal implications."

Reviewed by Katarina Daniels, Liaison Librarian
Nahum Gelber Law Library, McGill University

See the review in 2021 Canadian Law Library Review 46:4 (page 30)

In the introduction to the new volume, Artificial Intelligence and the Law in Canada, the editors state that the rapid advance of AI technologies means that we must ensure that our legal frameworks can apply – and adapt – to this “fundamentally disruptive technology.” This book, which features an impressive slate of contributing authors, offers the first comprehensive Canadian examination of this quickly evolving subject matter and the implications of our attempts to regulate it.

A Thorough Analysis
Artificial intelligence is permeating virtually every aspect of our everyday lives – from the economy and our work, to medicine and engineering, to the decision-making processes of government and business. In many instances, development of the technology is outpacing regulation efforts; there has in fact been little AI-specific litigation or legislation in Canada to date. By taking a close look at both the risks and potential inherent in AI technologies, Artificial Intelligence and the Law in Canada provides valuable insight into the current state of AI in Canada as well as how the technology interacts with traditional areas of law, including intellectual property, contracts, torts, data protection, competition, administrative and health.

This book illustrates the range of legal and public policy challenges related to AI that Canada faces. The authors are leading Canadian scholars who offer insight into the key issues in question, how existing laws might apply, the gaps that exist and the topics that law reform should address.

Essential Reading
This ground-breaking text is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in AI and the associated privacy law issues, including:

• Legal advisors, such as privacy and access lawyers, technology lawyers, media / communications / marketing / advertising lawyers, in-house counsel, public sector counsel and legal researchers, who need a resource to assist with researching and advising on privacy law issues in a connected world
• Regulators, law enforcement personnel and policy makers, including judicial personnel and judges, as it provides a summary of this evolving area of privacy law
• Business professionals, such as corporate strategists, risk and compliance managers, technology consultants, privacy advisors, corporate investigators and privacy officers, as it offers guidance on complying with privacy laws in this area
• Academia, including law libraries and law students, as it is a valuable privacy law teaching aid and reference work

Editors
Dr. Florian Martin-Bariteau, University Research Chair in Technology and Society at the University of Ottawa
Dr. Teresa Scassa, Canada Research Chair in Information Law and Policy at the University of Ottawa

Contributing Authors
Dr. Wolfgang Alschner, Associate Professor at the Common Law Section of the University of Ottawaa
Dr. Bita Amani, Associate Professor of Law at Queen’s University
Jane Bailey, Full Professor in the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section at the University of Ottawa
Dr. Jacquelyn Burkell, Acting Associate Vice-President, Research at Western University
Dr. Céline Castets-Renard, University Research Chair on Accountable AI in a Global Context at the University of Ottawa
Dr. Ignacio N. Cofone, Assistant Professor & Norton Rose Fulbright Faculty Scholar in the Faculty of Law at McGill University
Dr. Carys Craig, Associate Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
Suzie Dunn, Ph.D. candidate and part-time professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa
Dr. Colleen M. Flood, University Research Chair in Health Law & Policy at the University of Ottawa
Dr. Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa
Chandell Gosse, Ph.D. candidate in Media Studies in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University
Dr. Gregory Hagen, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary
Vivek Krishnamurthy, Samuelson-Glushko Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Ottawa
Marina Pavlović, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section at the University of Ottawa
Dr. Jennifer Quaid, Vice-Dean, Research and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section at the University of Ottawa
Dr. Jennifer Raso, Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law
Dr. Catherine Régis, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy at the Université de Montréal
Dr. Amy Salyzyn, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section at the University of Ottawa
Dr. Valerie Steeves, Full Professor in the Department of Criminology at the University of Ottawa
Kristen Thomasen, Assistant Professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia