Artificial intelligence and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative as anti-corruption tools for Canadian extractive companies

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers the promise of improving natural resource governance, including addressing bribery and corruption risks. The mobilisation of computing power requires access to large amounts of data, a task facilitated by disclosure instruments. This paper examines the rationale and potential of artificial intelligence and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) as anti-corruption tools, with a focus on extractive companies based in Canada. The paper concludes that the integration of AI and the EITI Standard holds some promise to curtail corruption in extractive sectors, despite some ethical, legal and practical challenges.