Will Tao knows first-hand how automated, algorithmic and machine learning systems used by Canada’s government affect lives. The Founder of Heron Law Offices in Burnaby, British Columbia and co-founder of AIMACAI (the AI Monitor for Immigration in Canada and Internationally) practices immigration, refugee and citizenship law in Canada. He has watched as these systems automatically determine or inform decisions affecting the lives of his clients sometimes influencing decisions about whether they can legally work, and even whether they must separate from their spouses or children. In this interview recorded in November 2024, World Privacy Forum’s Kate Kaye talks with Tao about how use of algorithmic systems by Canada’s immigration agency affect his clients, his experiences with Canada’s Algorithmic Impact Assessments, and what he hopes to see change in relation to AI use and AI governance in Canada.

Featured in this episode:

• Will Tao, Founder of Heron Law Offices in Burnaby, British Columbia and co-founder of AIMACAI (the AI Monitor for Immigration in Canada and Internationally)
• Kate Kaye, Deputy Director of World Privacy Forum

This episode of Privacy on the Ground features music by Maciej Sadowski. The Privacy on the Ground intro theme features music by Pangal.