News
October 28, 2025
IVADO and CEIMIA Publish a Code of Conduct for Political Parties to Regulate the Use of AI in Election Campaigns
As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly touches all aspects of public life, including democratic processes, CEIMIA and IVADO are publishing a proposed code of conduct for the responsible use of AI by Quebec’s political parties, which is particularly relevant in this crucial election year. This initiative aims to preserve citizens’ trust in the electoral process and the quality of democratic debate at a time when AI can both enrich public conversation and distort it.
The document was written by Catherine Régis (Université de Montréal, IVADO, Mila, Canada-CIFAR AI Chair and Chair in Scientific Diplomacy and Global AI Governance – FRQ), Christian Gagné (Université Laval, Institute for Intelligence and Data, Canada-CIFAR AI Chair, Mila, IVADO), and Marc-Antoine Dilhac (Université de Montréal, OBVIA and IVADO). It seeks to ensure the integrity of public debate and provide guidance to political parties, directing their use of this technology toward practices that benefit Quebecers.
The development of the document also relied on a collaborative, cross-party approach, with the leadership of major parties, including CAQ, Québec Solidaire, PLQ, PQ and PC, invited to enrich and refine the final text.
The proposal asks political parties to commit to four main principles:
- Transparency
- Responsible Use
- Security and Governance
- Awareness and Prevention
It emphasizes that while AI can enhance democratic life by diversifying political messages, careless use risks eroding public trust and manipulating opinion through misleading content.
Two political parties, the Coalition Avenir Québec and Québec Solidaire, have already endorsed the principles of this proposal, signaling their commitment to ethically guiding AI use in politics.
In line with the Montréal Declaration for Responsible AI Development, this code calls for a transparent and ethical adoption of these technologies to strengthen the resilience of Quebec’s electoral process.
