IVADO and Open North Launch a Guide to Help Municipalities Adopt AI Responsibly and Effectively

Montreal, October 27, 2025 – Municipalities today face a dual challenge: modernizing their services to meet citizens’ expectations while managing the risks associated with digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI). To support them, IVADO and Open North are launching the AI Guide for Municipalities, a practical tool that helps identify relevant AI projects and ensure their responsible deployment.

AI in the Service of Municipalities and Their Communities

Many cities and municipalities are already using AI to improve their services: 24/7 chatbots to answer citizens’ questions, traffic optimization through synchronized traffic lights, or AI-powered vision systems to detect people at risk of homelessness and potholes on roads for repair works.

Between promises of efficiency and risks related to transparency, algorithmic bias, or cybersecurity, municipal administrations struggle to make informed decisions. This guide draws on the expertise of researchers in AI, urban planning, and public policy and offers practical recommendations, including how to:

• Identify AI projects with high community impact and maximize benefits for citizens.
• Adopt ethical and transparent governance, with accountability and public registers.
• Engage the population through citizen consultations integrated into project design and evaluation.
• Anticipate and manage AI-related risks, including bias, data security, and environmental impact.

Developed with the expertise of IVADO and Open North, this guide translates the complexity of AI into practical, easily implementable recommendations and supports municipalities in their digital transformation.

“AI offers enormous opportunities to improve municipal services, but its adoption must be accompanied by practical tools and rigorous governance. This guide provides municipalities with a real action plan to maximize the benefits of AI while placing citizens at the center of decision-making,” emphasizes Réjean Roy, Director of Training and Knowledge Mobilization at IVADO.

“Municipalities are on the front lines of public innovation. With this guide, we want to equip them to adopt AI responsibly, openly, and in the service of the common good,” adds Merlin Chatwin, CEO of Open North

The guide is available in French and English.