“Prêt pour l’IA” report: IVADO at the forefront of making Québec a responsible, forward-thinking leader in AI.

In a visionary move that will consolidate Québec’s role as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI), the Conseil de l’Innovation du Québec recently published a report entitled “Prêt pour l’IA” (“Ready for AI”) on February 5. Resulting from close collaboration with key players in the field, including IVADO, this document outlines, through a series of 12 main recommendations and 25 complementary ones, a future in which Québec stands out for its excellence in AI on the international stage, and establishes strategic orientations that are in line with IVADO’s mission and its ambitious R³AI project.

In April 2023, the Government of Québec entrusted the Conseil de l’innovation du Québec, headed by Chief Innovator Luc Sirois, with the mission of leading a non-partisan, transparent, and inclusive collective reflection on the framing of artificial intelligence (AI) in the province. As one of the world’s leading AI research, training, and knowledge mobilization consortiums, IVADO was involved in this vital project from the outset: Luc Vinet, IVADO’s CEO, and Catherine Régis, IVADO’s Director of Social Innovation and International Policy, were among the 15 co-leaders who accompanied and supported the Council in its work.

IVADO’s role was significant in the development of these recommendations, and will be equally important in their future implementation. IVADO enthusiastically welcomes this report and commends the efforts and commitment of the Minister of Economy and Innovation, Mr. Pierre Fitzgibbon, and sees in this work a significant recognition of the importance of AI and a commendable commitment to its regulation: a desire that is perfectly in line with the R³AI project led by IVADO for the development and adoption of robust, reasoning and responsible AI.

IVADO is committed to:

• taking up issues related to the ongoing training of the workforce, managers and trainers themselves, by further developing its training offers, in conjunction with public bodies, professional orders or any other player, to accelerate the upskilling of AI knowledge among workers and Québec organizations;
• continuing to support Québec companies in the development and adoption of responsible AI as a driver of growth and innovation;
• advising and supporting the Government of Québec in its initiatives to anticipate, measure and better understand the effects of AI on our society, particularly as part of the research to be carried out with the R³AI project;
• proactively increasing the AI knowledge and expertise of researchers and students in the humanities and social sciences, and to encourage them to network with other AI researchers, companies and public organizations, in order to stimulate the development of AI in a way that is responsible and aligned with social innovation;
• fully investing in the mobilization of knowledge and support for AI research in Québec, in particular through IVADO’s Regroupements program for strategic research within the R³AI framework, to generate a major advance in AI knowledge and its applications, in fields such as health, environment, molecule and material discovery, as well as in the ethics, governance and safety of AI.

“We are very happy with the publication of the “Ready for IA” report by the Québec Government, and would like to congratulate the Innovation Council and all the players who contributed to it. This bold document demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the responsible advancement of artificial intelligence, and our collective desire to make Québec a world leader in ethical and innovative AI. At IVADO, we are deeply committed to contributing to this vision, by aligning our research, teaching, and innovation efforts with the stated recommendations. We reiterate our commitment to inclusive collaboration with all stakeholders, to shape a future where AI acts in the service of the common good, reflecting the values of our society.”

– Luc Vinet, CEO, IVADO.

The “Ready for AI” report outlines a promising future for the development of AI in Québec, with IVADO at the forefront of translating this vision into concrete action, and positioning Québec as a leader and role model in the AI field. In the coming weeks, IVADO will be looking closely at the report to develop a detailed roadmap, and will be very active in implementing its recommendations.

Through its programs of research, training, support for technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and social innovation, IVADO will embody these recommendations and continue to propel a trusted, responsible, and aligned AI for the benefit of our society. We are ready!

To read the “Prêt pour l’IA” report, click here.