Obvia announces the funding of six new research projects under the sixth component of its Innovative Projects Call for Proposals. A total of nearly $900,000 will be invested to support the development of new interdisciplinary research teams studying the societal impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies.
Since 2019, this call for proposals program has supported research and creation focused on major societal transformations related to AI and digital technologies, from an interdisciplinary and inclusive perspective. It also encourages the participation of early-career researchers and those from the college sector. With 35 teams funded for a total of over $4 million, Obvia positions itself as a key player in research for a human- and society-centered AI and digital technology approach.
The projects were selected following an evaluation process conducted by an international and interdisciplinary committee, ensuring the scientific excellence and societal relevance of the supported work.
The seventh component of the program will be launched in the fall of 2025.
Consult our upcoming funding programs
Funding projects
Documentary Framework Adapted to NPOs / SMEs: Example of an AI Policy Developed for Alloprof
Lead Researcher : Vincent Gautrais (Université de Montréal)
Co-researchers :
- Emmanuelle Marceau (Cégep du Vieux-Montréal)
- Sébastien Gambs (Université du Québec à Montréal)
- Ledy Rivas Zannou (Université du Québec en Outaouais)
This project aims to develop a model of an internal policy that is adaptable and enables these organizations to comply with applicable law, while integrating ethical and responsible security practices in the use of AI.
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Ethical Issues and AI Governance in Inspection within a Professional Order
Principal Researcher : Joé T.Martineau (HEC Montréal)
Co-researchers:
- Ettore Merlo (Polytechnique Montréal)
- Sébastien Gambs (Université du Québec à Montréal)
- Ulrich Aïvodji (École de technologie supérieure)
This research project aims to explore practical ways of integrating AI ethically and responsibly into the inspection processes of a professional order's members and to design an AI ethics and governance framework tailored to this order.
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T-Top, a Social Assistance Robot to Promote the Participation and Social Connection of Older Adults: Towards a New Perspective on Sustainable Healthcare
Principal Co-researchers
- Mélanie Levasseur (Université de Sherbrooke)
- François Michaud (Université de Sherbrooke)
Co-researchers:
- Mélanie Bourassa Forcier (École nationale d’administration publique)
- Annabelle Cumyn (Université de Sherbrooke)
- Isabelle Lacroix (Université de Sherbrooke)
- Adina Panchea (Université de Sherbrooke)
- David Pellerin (Université de Sherbrooke)
- Marie-Pascale Pomey (Université de Montréal)
- Claude Vincent (Université Laval)
Nearly half of older adults have or will experience disabilities, feel lonely, or are isolated, which involves complex needs, including the need to be stimulated or assisted to participate socially. To address these needs, T-Top, a social assistance robot equipped with verbal and non-verbal communication capabilities and embedded artificial intelligence, can support better healthcare. However, the societal impacts of such support are not well understood.
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Co-creation, Pilot Implementation, and Potential for Scaling a Framework for Social Acceptability in Health Data Sharing
Principal Researcher : Maxime Sasseville (Université Laval)
Co-researchers :
- Marie-Pierre Gagnon (Université Laval)
- Annie LeBlanc (Université Laval)
- Vincent Couture (Université Laval)
- Pierre-Luc Déziel (Université Laval)
- Caroline Rhéaume (Université Laval)
- Marc Dionne (Université Laval)
The main objective of this project is to create a framework for the social acceptability of health data sharing in co-creation with experts and users, and then test it in a real-world context to evaluate its feasibility and potential for scaling.
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Governance and Responsible Data Sharing in Urban Sustainability: Review and Analysis of Best Practices and Case Studies
Principal Researcher : Marie-Christine Therrien (École nationale d'administration publique)
Co-researchers :
- Philippe Després (Université Laval)
- Justin Lawarée (École nationale d'administration publique)
- Samuel Defacqz (UCLouvain)
This project aims to identify and analyze the best practices in governance and responsible data sharing in cities using AI and digital technologies to address complex challenges, including sustainability.
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Development of Professional Skills: The Challenges of the Transition from Digital to Artificial Intelligence
Principal Researcher : Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay (Université TÉLUQ)
Co-researchers :
- Valéry Psyché (Université TÉLUQ)
- Jocelyne Kiss (Université Laval)
This project aims to study the use of AI in the workplace and co-design innovative solutions to address challenges related to the evolution of professional roles, ethical issues, and AI integration, while developing skills and training adapted to diversity and EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) objectives.
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