On June 11, 2025, Obvia held its very first Scientific Day. This event brought together researchers, partners, and members of civil society to present the state of research within our community and to engage in collective reflection on cross-cutting issues related to artificial intelligence.
Three Participatory Workshops
The afternoon was dedicated to three participatory workshops:
- What does digital sobriety mean for Quebec in 2025?
- What skills are needed in the age of AI, and how can they be developed?
- How can we strengthen trust in AI and digital technologies?
Workshop on Skills and Competencies
In the workshop dedicated to competencies, discussions focused on transformations underway across multiple sectors — health, education, arts and media, law and justice, and the workplace — and on the human skills that must be reinforced. Beyond sector-specific needs, several transversal findings emerged. Critical thinking, adaptability, understanding how AI works, and ethical and relational competencies were identified as fundamental pillars to strengthen in all fields. Continuous training, the implementation of clear ethical frameworks, and the development of AI tools adapted to professional contexts were also seen as widely shared levers for action. These results point to the need for research that rethinks human competencies in the age of AI — not in opposition to technology, but in a spirit of complementarity and responsible use.
Workshop on Trust in AI and Digital Technologies
The workshop on trust explored the grey areas of our current understanding of this notion: confusion between trust and acceptability, semantic ambiguities in the language often used to describe the AI ecosystem, and the lack of consideration for the specific needs of less visible groups. Participants proposed ambitious research avenues, ranging from studies on levels of trust to the analysis of technology business models, as well as investigations into mechanisms of so-called “blind trust” in certain generative AI tools. On the action side, several strong recommendations emerged: develop credible and transparent audits, strengthen continuing education, regulate technologies with coherent standards, and create tools to measure the impacts and uncertainties of AI systems.
Workshop on Digital Sobriety
Finally, the foresight workshop, structured around various scenarios on digital sobriety, enabled participants to explore possible futures for AI in Quebec by 2050, based on hypotheses, trends, and concrete case studies. Working in teams, participants identified opportunities, risks, and impacts associated with each scenario. This exercise provided perspective, fostering forward-looking analysis of emerging issues and anticipation of the consequences of today’s decisions.
Interdisciplinary and Cross-Sectoral Dialogue
These interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral discussions generated valuable exchanges for all participants. While the workshops were short, they highlighted the importance of bringing together diverse perspectives to advance knowledge on complex issues.
