Accessibility Standards Canada has unveiled the CAN-ASC-6.2 – Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems standard – the first National Standard of Canada centered on accessible artificial intelligence.
The organization timed the release for International Day of Persons with Disabilities and marks a step in the country’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion progress. It was designed to facilitate accessibility, inclusivity, and fairness in AI systems from inception.
Establishing clear guidelines can identify and address AI obstacles that affect users.
“Artificial intelligence is shaping how Canadians access services, information, and opportunities. We want to ensure AI works for everyone, including people with disabilities. It’s essential if we want to build a fair and inclusive future. This new standard fills a critical gap by providing clear and practical guidance to help organizations design AI systems that are accessible and equitable from the start,” said Dino Zuppa, Accessibility Standards Canada’s chief executive officer, in a statement.
The standard will aid organizations and developers with the following:
- Designing AI systems in consideration of their accessibility to people with disabilities
- Facilitating fairness and avoiding exclusion
- Setting processes to ensure the centrality of accessibility and equity across the AI lifecycle
- Educating people on developing equitable and inclusive AI
Accessibility Standards Canada’s technical committee created the standard as a practical tool that can be used partially or in full. The committee mainly comprises people with disabilities and members of equity-deserving groups.
Canadians contributed to a full public review of the standard, which was finalized after the evaluation. The Standards Council of Canada approved it as a National Standard of Canada, affirming that the CAN-ASC-6.2 – Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems standard fulfilled the council’s set standards development requirements.
The approval also confirms that the standard Is aligned with global best practices.
“As artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how Canadians live and work, tools like this new standard are essential to ensure everyone can thrive and no one gets left behind,” said Patty Hajdu, minister of jobs and families and minister responsible for the federal economic development agency for Northern Ontario.
The standard is free and has been published in both English and French as well as in accessible format. It has been summarized in plain language, American Sign Language and Langue des signes Québécoise.
Accessibility Standards Canada is an accredited standards development organization with the Standards Council of Canada.