The plan includes fellowships to improve government officials’ digital literacy, and leadership councils to advise government on “how to harness data more effectively to increase people’s participation in the digital economy.” The government also plans to launch a digital ID to let Ontarians access government services remotely; develop a portal to educate Ontarians on their data rights; create standards for how companies approach data privacy and security; and build a responsible AI framework “rooted in democratic principles and individual rights.” (The Logic)

Talking point: The province’s goal is to give people and businesses what they need to “succeed in a digital world,” and improve their data access while protecting privacy. The government plans to launch some aspects of its plan this spring and summer, like “beta” guidelines for its AI framework and its digital and data fellowships. It’s consulting further on other elements of the strategy, like the data standards. Alanna Sokic, the Council of Canadian Innovators’ Ontario practice lead, welcomed the strategy, many elements of which CCI had been calling for for years. “Properly regulating the data economy can create an opportunity for Ontario businesses to create more jobs and wealth for our province,” Sokic said in a statement.