Who will protect our brains in the AI race?

By Viviane Poupon, president and CEO of Brain Canada

Canada has always invested in brain science, even during fiscal challenges. While others pursue AI dominance through speed and scale, we could lead by putting human cognition at the centre.

Right now, as you read this, Canada’s AI Strategy Task Force is in the midst of a 30-day national sprint that will reshape our technological future. At the recent ALL IN conference in Montreal, AI Minister Evan Solomon tasked 26 brilliant minds with delivering recom­mendations by this month, recommendations that will guide billions in investment and governance decisions affecting every Canadian.

The task force brings essential expertise: Patrick Pichette’s business acumen, Ajay Agrawal’s economic insight, Joëlle Pineau’s technical depth. Pineau’s AI-epilepsy work shows how artificial and natural intelligence should inform each other. But technology that fundamentally alters human cognition demands more than one neuroscience voice across seven themes. Brain expertise must be woven throughout, addressing what AI governance consistently misses: we study what artificial intelligence can do, not what it does to us.

Canada’s strategic advantage

Canada ranks among the top five countries in brain research, publishing 6.4 per cent of global neuroscience articles, with world-leading scientists and re­search centres nationwide. This strategic asset could differenti­ate Canada in the global AI race yet remains untapped.

The task force’s seven themes are comprehensive and im­portant. But several have direct brain health implications that demand neuroscience expertise. When the “safe AI and public trust” theme grapples with AI in health care, who will evaluate AI diagnostic tools for neurological conditions? These systems are already being deployed in Cana­dian hospitals to detect strokes, predict Alzheimer’s progression, and identify depression bio­markers. Without neuroscientists at the table, we’re essentially designing brain health policy without brain health experts.

Consider what’s happening in classrooms: AI tutors adapt to how students learn while their brains are still developing. Until age 25, the parts controlling focus, decision-making, and self-control are still forming and these AI systems are influenc­ing that development. Yet no brain expert is asking: will this strengthen young minds or weaken them?

AI was built by mimicking the brain. Now it’s reshaping how we think, remember, and decide. How do we govern tech­nology that alters human cog­nition? We need neuroscientists who understand both artificial and natural intelligence.

The world is watching

Recently, the United Nations launched a global dialogue on AI governance with a 40-member expert panel. The convergence of neuroscience and AI is being recognized globally. I saw this first-hand at the UN’s Brain Days discussing the emerging $1.8-trillion brain economy. Yet while nations race for AI dom­inance, few address cognitive sovereignty: the right of citizens to understand and govern how AI shapes their minds.

Canada could lead. While the United States retreats from glob­al AI governance, Canada could distinguish itself by properly integrating brain science into AI policy. We have the research capacity, collaborative culture, and momentum to do it.

Nobel laureate Daron Acemo­glu warns AI risks becoming an “inequality-generating” technol­ogy. But inequality isn’t just eco­nomic, it’s cognitive. Those who understand how AI influences attention and decision-making will thrive; those who don’t will have their behaviour predicted and shaped by systems they cannot comprehend. Without un­derstanding these mechanisms, we cannot design appropriate protections.

Real risks to Canadians

Research in Natural Human Behaviour shows humans don’t just use AI predictions we inter­nalize them. Small biases com­pound through feedback loops, distorting how we perceive reality. Our brains, evolved over millennia, are being reshaped by systems we’ve built but don’t fully understand.

AI therapy bots now serve Canadians with limited clinical oversight. Studies document troubling patterns: contradicting established treatment approach­es, showing dangerous biases, failing to escalate crisis situa­tions. These aren’t hypothetical they’re documented failures affecting vulnerable people seeking mental health support.

When students rely heavily on AI, they skip the effort that builds memory, reasoning, and critical thinking. Yet research shows properly designed AI could actually help learning, taking care of busywork while strengthening thinking skills. The difference between harm and help depends entirely on understanding how these tools affect developing minds.

Act now or fall behind

First, add an eighth theme: Cognitive Impact and Brain Health. Every other theme affects the brain without ex­plicitly addressing it. Public trust requires understanding mental health effects. Education policy needs developmental neuroscientists.

Second, tap into existing networks. Brain Canada has consulted with more than 75 Canadian experts on AI-neuro­science convergence. We have world-leading scientists that stand ready to contribute.

Third, recognize that brain understanding isn’t parallel to AI development, it’s fundamental. As AI changes how we process information, make decisions, and form beliefs, brain experts must inform policy. The initial risks aren’t to our economy or security; they are to our minds.

Our moment to lead

Geoffrey Hinton earned the Nobel in 2024 for neural net­works inspired by brain archi­tecture. Canada’s AI leadership began with understanding nat­ural intelligence. This heritage positions us uniquely: we can be the first nation to fully integrate brain science into AI policy as these systems reshape human cognition. November’s task force recommendations will affect 40 million minds for decades. Can­ada has always invested in brain science, even during fiscal chal­lenges. While others pursue AI dominance through speed and scale, we could lead by putting human cognition at the centre.

This op-ed by Viviane Poupon was originally published in The Hill Times on October 31, 2025.