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AI for public good, powered by a Waterloo co-op student
Math student helps design responsible AI pilot that streamlines employee efficiency for Canada’s public servants
At Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a new step using artificial intelligence (AI) is showing how technology can strengthen employee efficiency. And a Waterloo co-op helped build it.
During a recent work term, computer science student Michael Volovyk joined a federal digital lab developing a groundbreaking AI pilot designed to assist employees with their administrative tasks.
“It was very early-stage testing, but while I was there, it evolved from a quickly assembled prototype into a full system ready for initial testing,” Volovyk says. “If development continues intensively, I imagine it’s ready to be used internally by a small group.”
Ethics and security considerations were central to the project. Before any line of code was developed, IRCC dedicated several months to establishing robust AI guidelines and protocols. This process ensured that all systems and data infrastructure operated within Canadian jurisdiction, demonstrating a commitment to sovereign AI and the responsible management of government data.
Reflecting on his experience, Volovyk credits Waterloo’s practical curriculum that prepared him well for his first co-op term.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
