AI Early Warning Tool

Canada’s toxic and rapidly evolving unregulated drug supply makes it difficult for public health and community organizations to respond quickly to emerging substance-related harms. To support faster, more informed decision-making, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) and research partners at York University and the University of Toronto are developing an Artificial Intelligence Early Warning Tool (AI EWT). 

In this section:

Overview
How the Tool Works
Coming Soon

What is the AI Early Warning System?

The AI EWT uses artificial intelligence and large language models to monitor online platforms, traditional news media, public websites and other digital sources. It identifies early signs of new substances, emerging trends and event-based information, helping organizations stay informed and respond more effectively to substance-related harms.

How The Tool Works

The AI EWT continuously monitors a wide range of online sources and analyzes them in real time. It filters out irrelevant information and highlights meaningful trends. 

The interactive dashboard provides:

Real-time monitoring of emerging substance-related events

Geospatial visualizations that highlight where trends are occurring

Automated querying for quick access to validated information

Adaptive filtering that improves as language and substance markets evolve

Coming Soon

The AI EWT is still in development. The full dashboard and features will be available soon. Updates will be shared as development progresses. 

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Browse the CCSA Network of Websites

CCSA's Issues of Substance Conference

This biannual, national conference brings together people from across the country, including addiction workers, healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers, and people with lived and living experience
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Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms

This project provides comparable and up-to-date data on the costs and harms of substance use in Canada and allows people to explore and analyze the data through its data visualization tool.
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Workforce Competencies

CCSA developed measurable technical and behaviour competencies in knowledge, skills and values for the substance use workforce, providing consistent care across the wide range of settings.
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Drink Less Live More

Canada has new guidance on alcohol and your health. CCSA wants you to be able to make the most informed decisions you can about drinking alcohol.
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Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines

Learn about the world’s first Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines to help people in Canada make informed decisions about their gambling and lessen their risk of gambling-related harms. Use the Interactive Risk Assessment Tool to assess your personal gambling choices.
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The Highway Home

This interactive website takes an experiential approach to increasing youth’s and young drivers’ awareness of the risks and harms of drug-impaired driving, using real-life scenarios involving cannabis use and driving.
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