Transport Canada conducted a structured experiment in 2024 to evaluate how artificial intelligence tools—specifically the Athena platform and ChatGPT—can improve and enhance the policy research process. The experiment tested these tools across various research activities including scoping, trend identification, information and data gathering, and writing and summarization. Government of Canada employees used these AI platforms to assess their quality, time efficiency, and practical benefits for policy analysis.
The experiment observed several key benefits: faster research capabilities, broader information scanning with greater international scope (particularly through the Athena tool), and potential improvements in policy foresight capacity for analysts. This research initiative aims to determine whether and how AI tools can augment the existing work of policy researchers, potentially returning value through enhanced analyst skills and more efficient research processes.
This system does not involve personal information and is currently in production status. It represents an exploratory approach to understanding AI's role in government policy development.
