This report presents and analyzes four plausible scenarios developed during a Global Commerce Centre strategic foresight workshop on AI (artificial intelligence), global adoption, and the openness of the global trade environment. The report provides insights into the challenges and opportunities that industries, the government, and the public may face as AI technologies and global economic trends continue to evolve.

Click here to view a condensed version of this report online.

The Conference Board of Canada’s Global Commerce Centre (GCC) held a strategic foresight workshop on November 19, 2018. The workshop allowed GCC stakeholders to discuss and develop a series of plausible futures with specific assumptions on AI (artificial intelligence) global adoption, and the openness of the global trade environment. This strategic foresight report identifies four potential futures for consideration. The report provides insights into the challenges and opportunities that industries, the government, and the public may face as AI technologies and global economic trends continue to evolve. All four workshop groups highlighted the role of government policies and the need for good governance, ethical frameworks, and educational programs. These components are necessary to ensure that the Canadian population has the right skills and knowledge to use and benefit from emerging technologies such as AI.

Background

Introduction

• Workshop structure and overview

Scenario A: Humane free trade
Low global artificial intelligence adoption and free trade global trend

Scenario B: Semi-daze
Widespread global artificial intelligence adoption and free trade global trend

Scenario C: Ahead to the past
Low global artificial intelligence adoption and protectionist global trade trend

Scenario D: The war of the giants
Widespread global AI adoption and protectionist global trade trend

Scenario analysis

Conclusion