Strengthening co-creation and knowledge sharing for the benefit of society
At Obvia, we believe that the future of artificial intelligence and digital technologies must be built with and for society. That is why we bring together researchers, public and private organizations, civil society, and citizens around a shared objective: to anticipate and mitigate risks while transforming challenges into solutions that serve the common good.
Through our unique research network of 23 universities and CEGEPs, we co-create open knowledge and practical solutions that place living beings and the biosphere at the heart of decision-making. Together, we develop inclusive and sustainable approaches to address the ethical, social, and environmental challenges of the digital revolution.
By collaborating with Obvia, stakeholders across the ecosystem benefit from internationally recognized scientific expertise and access to a unique cross-sector network to develop innovative research and solutions grounded in ethical and sustainable practices.
Interested in collaborating? Discover how we can work together.
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How We Collaborate
Facilitating Access to Resources and Expertise
With a diverse, cross-sector research community of more than 290 researchers, Obvia stands out for its ability to mobilize a wide range of expertise. Its member researchers can be called upon to participate in a variety of activities in collaboration with partner organizations, including symposiums, conferences, workshops, working groups, and more.
Annual Conference of the Centre d’expertise des grands organismes
At the request of the CEGO, Obvia delivered a conference on the use of AI in public administration, providing executive and professional staff from major public organizations with a clear framework for assessing the risks, benefits, and ethical considerations associated with the deployment of AI. This workshop enabled the CEGO to strengthen its members’ capacity to make informed decisions, integrate principles of responsible innovation into their projects, and anticipate the impacts of deployed technologies.
Participation in the National Consultation Body on AI in Higher Education
By taking part in the National Consultation Body on AI established by the Ministry of Higher Education, researchers from Obvia contributed to enriching the work with scientific and interdisciplinary expertise on the pedagogical and ethical challenges of using AI. This contribution helped better identify the risks, needs, and opportunities associated with integrating AI into teaching practices, and supported decision-making in response to this emerging reality.
Tailored Conferences and Workshops
The research community of Obvia can also be called upon to design and facilitate training sessions or workshops tailored specifically to the needs of an organization or group. These sessions enable organizations to develop strategic skills, anticipate risks, and seize opportunities related to AI.
Workshops for the Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord – Edmonton
To support the Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord (CSCN) in the informed integration of AI in education, Obvia designed and facilitated four workshops tailored to the needs of various groups (school leadership, staff, administrative teams, board of directors, and parent councils). These workshops enabled CSCN to develop a shared understanding of the uses, limitations, and opportunities of AI, supporting the development of coherent approaches across the school system.
Training on AI in the Cultural Sector
Obvia delivered targeted training to members of the Board of Directors of the Fondation Musicaction as well as its staff, to enrich reflection on emerging issues related to the use of AI tools in the creative process, production, and commercialization of sound recordings. This intervention enabled Musicaction to strengthen its analytical capacity in response to ongoing transformations in the sector, anticipate the legal and ethical implications of new tools, and better support the artists and organizations it funds.
Support and Collaborative Research
Obvia supports organizations through research and intervention mandates, mobilizing its expertise to address specific needs such as the development of ethical frameworks, the conduct of qualitative and quantitative studies, or other research activities aligned with defined objectives and deliverables. By working with Obvia, partners gain access to tailored solutions that address their specific challenges while ensuring an ethical and responsible approach.
Development of an AI Ethics Framework with SOQUIJ
In order to support the ethical and thoughtful integration of AI into its practices, the Société québécoise d’information juridique collaborated with Obvia to develop a fully tailored ethical framework adapted to its operational context, mission, and the specific characteristics of the legal sector. This work enabled SOQUIJ to clarify its guiding principles regarding AI, equip its teams to address ethical challenges, and promote a responsible approach to the governance of its technological innovation projects. The organization now has a solid foundation to guide its decision-making and ensure the deployment of AI in alignment with its values.
AI Reflection Workshops with Revenu Québec
Obvia was called upon by Revenu Québec to support the evolution of its Ethics Office’s practices in response to transformations driven by AI. Through the implementation of joint working workshops, this initiative enabled Revenu Québec specialists to strengthen their ability to identify areas of tension, anticipate the impacts of technological choices, and adapt their governance mechanisms. By providing teams with concrete and operational tools, these workshops help enhance the organization’s ethical maturity and support the evolution of its digital innovation practices.
Who We Collaborate With
Obvia collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders across society, including public institutions, private organizations, civil society actors, and citizens.Its partners include universities and colleges, government bodies, cultural and educational organizations, as well as research and innovation-driven institutions. Through these collaborations, Obvia supports the co-construction of knowledge and the development of responsible, evidence-based approaches to artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
Public Sector Actors
Meetings on Generative AI for the City of Montreal
In collaboration with the Chief Scientist of Quebec Office, Obvia developed an awareness workshop for elected officials and senior management at the City of Montreal. This initiative helped the City of Montreal strengthen its decision-making capacity to integrate AI responsibly and in an informed manner into public decision-making processes.
Study on the Impacts of AI in the Cultural and Media Sectors
Obvia is collaborating with the Ministry of Culture and Communications to conduct an in-depth study and analysis of the transformations brought about by AI in cultural and media environments. By combining an international review of emerging practices with a series of targeted interviews with experts and key stakeholders in Quebec, the study provides the Ministry with a nuanced overview of the issues at stake: shifts in creative processes, redefinition of business models, restructuring of professions, and risks to cultural diversity, among others.
Developers and Organisations
Workshop on Responsible AI Adoption for Businesses
Obvia delivered a workshop for Service Triad, bringing together around twenty contact centre executives to discuss the conditions for a thoughtful adoption of AI in this sector. The session examined how AI is transforming their operations, identified risks associated with its integration, and explored approaches to maximize benefits while preserving trust among clients and employees. This workshop represents the first step of P.A.C.T., a program combining awareness-raising, consultation, and support.
ADOR-IA Immersive Workshop
To support companies in the responsible development and deployment of their AI algorithms, Obvia, IVADO, and SEMLA launched the first edition of ADOR-IA, an immersive workshop fostering exchanges between industry, experts, and students. By bringing together these complementary perspectives, ADOR-IA enabled participating organizations to examine their projects through an ethical and operational lens, identify concrete areas for improvement, and explore innovative approaches to strengthen the reliability and fairness of their systems.
Civil Society
Literature Review with VotePour.ca
In the context of a collective project on the impacts of the digital divide, led by VotePour.ca, Obvia conducted a comparative scoping review to examine government strategies aimed at promoting the inclusion of individuals affected by the digital divide within the broader context of digital transformation. This report helped deepen understanding of the main levers and barriers to accessing government services and provided VotePour.ca with a solid, structured knowledge base to support its recommendations, grounded in existing literature.
Report on the Democratic Governance of AI with Communautique
In order to support public and community actors seeking to ensure more democratic, transparent, and equitable governance of AI, Obvia and Communautique jointly developed a framework to guide the creation of dialogue spaces aimed at strengthening citizens’ capacity to understand and participate in the integration of AI into Quebec public services. This work provides organizations with concrete reference points for building governance practices that reflect democratic values and respond to public expectations regarding accountability and fairness.
Labour market stakeholders
Submission to the National Assembly on the Transformation of Workplaces through Digital Technologies
In response to the consultation on the future of workplaces in the digital era launched by the Ministry of Labour, members of the Industry 4.0, Work and Employment axis at Obvia submitted a detailed brief highlighting the effects of AI on collective dynamics and workers’ health. By addressing issues related to the governance of AI in the workplace, the brief underscored the central role of the State as well as the essential conditions required to ensure the responsible and sustainable integration of AI in professional environment.
Support for Trade Union Actors
A team from the Industry 4.0, Work and Employment axis at Obvia, in collaboration with the Centre de recherche interuniversitaire sur la mondialisation et le travail (CRIMT), brought together trade union organizations in Quebec to discuss the challenges and levers associated with algorithmic management and AI in the workplace. Following the presentation of the guide Negotiating Algorithmic Management, a discussion helped identify avenues for collaboration between Obvia’s research community and trade union actors, leading to the creation of a working committee bringing together nearly thirty participants.
Health Sector
Research Briefs with the Ministry of Health and Social Services
At the request of the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services, a working group from the Sustainable Health axis at Obvia developed research briefs to support the governance of AI use in the health and social services sector. This work provides a clearer understanding of what AI entails in healthcare, its potential to improve care and services, the criteria for evaluating AI-enabled digital tools in this field, as well as the ethical and legal challenges associated with their deployment and use.
Knowledge Synthesis with the Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ)
The Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ) commissioned Obvia to conduct an in-depth exploration of how AI could contribute to health promotion and concretely support a transition toward disease reduction. The preliminary results already provide essential and structuring insights into the effective implementation of AI. These findings can usefully guide policymakers and healthcare professionals in optimizing its use to improve prevention and public health interventions.
Resources Available on the Website
The Obvia Resources Directory brings together several hundred scientific, professional, and outreach references, accessible to a broad audience.These resources make it possible to explore the societal issues and impacts of AI and digital technologies, stay informed about recent developments, adopt new practices, and raise awareness of the questions surrounding these technologies.
Accessible tools and outreach resources
Are you looking for activities or outreach tools on artificial intelligence and its societal impacts? Obvia offers several, designed specifically for the general public.
Briefing Notes
In addition to its resources directory, Obvia publishes a monthly briefing note intended for public sector actors whose areas of intervention are affected by transformations driven by AI.
The briefing notes will soon be available in English.
VIEW BRIEFING NOTES