information technology and computer science

information technology and computer science


Alberta’s privacy commissioner raises concerns over two government bills

Alberta’s information and privacy commissioner says she has big concerns – including fuzzy definitions and insufficient guardrails – in two bills now being debated in the house. The bills aim to amend existing access to information and privacy rules and are touted by Premier Danielle Smith’s government as being the strictest privacy regulations in Canada. […]

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Investigation underway after Alberta Crown corporation hit by cyberattack

An Alberta Crown corporation says it recently experienced “network issues” after it was the target of a cyberattack.  Dwayne Brunner, a spokesman for Alberta Innovates, wouldn’t confirm when the issues began, but said an investigation is underway and all network problems have been resolved. “Alberta Innovates recently experienced network issues, which we quickly resolved and […]

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Calgary libraries to reopen Wednesday following cybersecurity breach

The Calgary Public Library says its branches will reopen later this week with limited services after revealing it suffered a cybersecurity breach. The library says in an update posted on its website that patrons will have access to spaces in its branches that “do not require technology” when they reopen Wednesday, and that people will […]

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Calgary’s public libraries closed due to cybersecurity breach

All Calgary Public Library locations have been closed due to a cybersecurity breach. The library posted the news on its website, stating the closures took effect as of 5 p.m. Friday. The post says that in addition to the closures, all servers and library computer access are being turned off.  No further details on the […]

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‘A great teaching opportunity’: How one school board plans to use AI in the classroom

When students return to Catholic schools in Ottawa this week, they will be able to use artificial intelligence to help solve math problems and create essay outlines. Their teachers, too, can turn to AI to generate lesson plans, adjust content to a student’s specific needs, and give feedback on assignments. The Ottawa Catholic School Board […]

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National security agencies should detail how they’re using AI: federal advisory body

A federal advisory body is calling on Canada’s security agencies to publish detailed descriptions of their current and intended uses of artificial intelligence systems and software applications. In a new report, the National Security Transparency Advisory Group also urges the government to look at amending legislation being considered by Parliament to ensure oversight of how […]

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Ottawa latest city to turn to AI to predict chronic homelessness

How old are you? What is your gender? Are you Indigenous? Are you a Canadian citizen? Do you have a family?  Those are just a few of the data points that a new artificial intelligence system will use to determine if somebody might be at risk of chronic homelessness in Ottawa, thanks to a team-up […]

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Government chatbots? It’s one possibility under Ottawa’s new AI strategy

Delayed air passengers, disgruntled phone customers and even hungry people craving a slice of pizza increasingly find their pleas to private companies being answered by artificial intelligence. Soon Canadians who need to reach out to the federal government could also find themselves talking to an employee who’s been helped by non-human assistants.  Ottawa is working […]

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As police increasingly use facial recognition technology, calls grow for regulations

Some police services in Canada are using facial recognition technology to help solve crimes, while other police forces say human rights and privacy concerns are holding them back from employing the powerful digital tools. It’s this uneven application of the technology — and the loose rules governing its use — that has legal and AI […]

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