This Code was developed by IVADO and CEIMIA for Quebec political parties in preparation for the province’s first general election campaign in the era of generative AI, to be held in October 2026. It could also be adapted to other jurisdictions with the guidance and support of the experts behind this initiative. 

Consult the full document.

Why a Code of Conduct on the Use of AI by Political Parties?

While electoral laws adapted to the risks associated with AI remain necessary, a common voluntary Code of conduct provides immediate and concrete protection against these risks. The threat AI poses to elections is no longer theoretical: this technology is now making its way into elections around the world. In the absence of adequate legal, ethical and technical safeguards, AI amplifies increasingly sophisticated information-manipulation tactics, weakens electoral institutions, and erodes public trust in democratic processes.

Institutional mechanisms for verifying and correcting information are struggling to keep pace with the deployment of AI-generated political content. Closing this gap requires a multi-level approach that combines the development of appropriate regulatory frameworks with the adoption of technological solutions, such as advanced systems for detecting fraudulent content. However, because these measures take time to design and implement, immediate solutions are also needed, including codes of conduct governing the use of AI by political parties.

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The Four Pillars of the Code

The Code aims to preserve the integrity of public debate and democratic trust by promoting AI transparency, responsible use, secure use, and public and political awareness. Among other commitments, parties agree to identify misleading content generated using AI, avoid disinformation and deepfakes, protect personal data, ensure cybersecurity, and train their staff on AI-related risks in an electoral context. 

Mise en œuvre

IVADO et le CEIMIA accompagnent les partis signataires dans la mise en œuvre du Code. Une formation initiale est offerte au personnel et aux bénévoles. Les auteurs du Code ainsi que les équipes d’IVADO et du CEIMIA restent disponibles pour répondre aux questions au fil de la campagne. Un mécanisme de suivi post-électoral impliquant les partis politiques est prévu. Le Code sera également mis à jour régulièrement, en collaboration avec les partis, pour tenir compte de l’évolution rapide de l’IA.

 

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Adoption by Political Parties

The following Quebec political parties have confirmed their adoption of the Code (in alphabetical order):

  • Coalition Avenir Québec ;
  • Quebec Liberal Party ;
  • le Parti Québécois ;
  • Québec solidaire.

All other official political parties in Quebec are invited to adopt the Code. To do so, please contact Amélie Côté at amelie.cote@ivado.ca.

Learn More

  1. Opinion piece, Plaidoyer pour l’adoption d’un code de conduite, published October 27, 2025, in La Presse 
  1. Blog post, Unregulated AI in Politics – What Quebec Reveals About the Code of Conduct Political Parties Need Now, published May 13, 2026, on the ADD (Algorithms, Data and Democracy) project website in Denmark 

 

Who developed the Code?

The Code was drafted by three experts with complementary areas of expertise: Catherine Régis, Full Professor at the Faculty of Law at Université de Montréal and Director of Social Innovation and International Policy at IVADO; Marc-Antoine Dilhac, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Université de Montréal; and Christian Gagné, Full Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Université Laval and Director General of the Institute for Data Valorization (IDD).

An IVADO–CEIMIA Partnership

The Code of Conduct is part of a broader set of initiatives stemming from the partnership between IVADO and CEIMIA to examine the challenges AI poses to democracy and develop concrete solutions: