The Public Awareness Working Group within the government of Canada’s Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence has launched a series of virtual workshops to engage in discussions with the public on perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI). The ‘Open Dialogue: AI in Canada’ workshops will inform recommendations to the government of Canada on how to boost public awareness of and foster trust in AI. The intention is to reach over a thousand participants, while ensuring regional representativeness and inclusivity of marginalised populations, youth, and indigenous communities.