Obvia's Briefing Outlook : Briefing Notes for Public Actors

This briefing note explores the links between artificial intelligence, defence, security and digital sovereignty in a context of growing geopolitical rivalries. It presents three research priorities focusing on civil-military relations, human control of automated systems, and forward-looking representations of warfare.

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This briefing note presents the key findings of a study on the presence of AI in the workplace, conducted among 4,595 unionized workers in Quebec. It also summarizes the resulting recommendations for labour market stakeholders, including employers, unions and public policymakers.

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This briefing note examines the promises of AI-driven personalized education and the potential negative effects of poorly regulated use on student learning. It also highlights the findings of a recent study on the acceptability of integrating AI into schools among parents of students in Quebec.

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This briefing note presents the objectives and structure of a new project bringing together UNESCO, the Government of Quebec and Quebec-based experts, coordinated by Obvia. The application of UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) in Quebec was officially launched in late February 2026.

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This briefing note examines the rise of surveillance enhanced by new technologies, particularly algorithmic video surveillance (AVS), and the political, economic and security rationales driving its deployment. It outlines the risks these systems pose to privacy, transparency and fundamental rights, while proposing avenues for oversight and regulation for public-sector actors.

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This briefing note examines linguistic diversity in AI systems and the challenges faced by low-resource languages, such as Quebec French and Indigenous languages. It explains, among other things, why large language models are not well suited to local contexts and how to protect and promote linguistic and cultural expressions in the digital environment.

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This briefing note highlights the need to establish inclusive AI governance within public services, based on public consultation processes designed to meaningfully inform decision-making. It offers practical solutions and highlights the main pitfalls to avoid when a public-sector actor undertakes a process of citizen engagement.

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This briefing note explores the concept of digital sovereignty, which is gaining increasing traction in Canada and around the world. It outlines the motivations for a country to achieve digital sovereignty, examines Canada’s current situation, and provides recommendations for overcoming the identified barriers.

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This briefing note aims to highlight findings from recent research on the use of AI within the journalism profession and in public media. Drawing on findings from these case studies, the note examines transformations that have already been observed, as well as those that can be anticipated across a wide range of professions in the near future.

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This briefing note summarizes the key findings from recent studies on trust in and social acceptance of the Quebec government’s proposed Quebec Digital Identity Service (SQIN). It also provides recommendations to foster public trust in such a service and maximize its adoption among Quebecers.

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This note discusses the use of “automated homes” to support the daily activities and home care of older adults. It addresses the advantages and limitations of these technologies for overall well-being and examines best practices to ensure uses that respect the right to dignity and privacy.

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In the wake of the first Canadian federal election campaign in the era of AI, this briefing note addresses the risks that new technologies pose to the political environment and proposes possible avenues to limit potential abuses.

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This briefing note outlines the main elements of the content and application of the European AI Act, along with an overview of other regulatory initiatives worldwide. Considering the potential adoption of AI laws in Quebec and Canada, it also offers recommendations and key takeaways for legislators.

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This briefing note aims to outline gender-related issues within the AI and digital industries and to identify key actions to reduce the harmful impacts of gender inequalities in this field.

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