Building a regional center of expertise in artificial intelligence is the objective behind a grant of $ 3,094,265 from the Government of Quebec to Université Laval over a period of 3 years. The project, announced on Wednesday, January 29th, will support training, research, innovation and the transfer of knowledge in artificial intelligence and data valorization.

Among other priorities, the new IID (Institute Intelligence and Data) will focus on mobilizing researchers working in these sectors. “At Université Laval, the solid expertise that we have is somewhat diffused throughout the campus. IID will serve as an umbrella that catalyzes these forces. We are already working well together, but we will do more to set up coordinated and multidisciplinary projects”, promises Christian Gagné, scientific director of IID.

For this professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, it is essential to consider the ethical issues of artificial intelligence. “One must develop artificial intelligence in a way that improves the situation for mankind, without causing problems. With the International Observatory on the Societal Impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology, which is a leading partner of IID, we will be working on this aspect. This will be an opportunity to encourage experts in the AI field to collaborate with researchers who specialize in the ethical and social issues of AI.”

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