The Province of British Columbia has enacted a regulation under the authority of the Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act to define the expected results for the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. This regulation establishes the specific objectives and accountability measures for the Minister in order to guide policy and program implementation in the rapidly evolving sectors of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. It formalizes the Minister’s responsibilities and provides a framework for reporting on progress at the conclusion of the fiscal year.

Among the key responsibilities, the regulation requires the Minister to host regular round-table meetings with leaders across AI, life sciences, quantum computing, and other emerging technology fields. These meetings are intended to identify investment opportunities within British Columbia, foster collaboration, and ensure that the province remains competitive in attracting both domestic and international technological development. By engaging directly with industry leaders, the Minister is tasked with understanding the needs and potential of various sectors, as well as identifying obstacles to growth and innovation.

The regulation also emphasizes the Minister’s role in supporting the adoption of AI across multiple industrial sectors throughout British Columbia. This includes conducting meetings with business leaders to assess the current state of AI integration, understand barriers to adoption, and identify strategies that can accelerate the deployment of AI tools within the provincial economy. In addition to direct engagement, the Minister is expected to promote AI adoption by actively speaking at business conferences and other public events, raising awareness of AI capabilities, and encouraging enterprises to leverage technological innovations to improve efficiency and competitiveness.

Another critical aspect of the Minister’s responsibilities involves providing a British Columbia perspective to the federal government on laws and policies related to AI and emerging technologies. This ensures that provincial interests are represented in national policy development, and that regulations and programs at the federal level align with British Columbia’s strategic priorities. Furthermore, the Minister is tasked with advocating for an equitable share of federal funding to support both the development of new technologies and the low carbon economy.

Finally, the regulation requires the Minister to submit a comprehensive report to Cabinet by March 31, 2026, detailing progress and results from hosting round-tables, supporting AI adoption, promoting AI at conferences, providing provincial input to federal policy, and advocating for federal funding. This reporting requirement ensures accountability, transparency, and the measurement of the Minister’s impact in advancing British Columbia’s position as a leader in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, while supporting economic development and the transition to a low carbon economy.

British Columbia (476/2025) November 19, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and does not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.