New AI Training Initiative for the Professional Community
Tuesday June 17, 2025
Montreal, June 17, 2025 – IVADO, an artificial intelligence research consortium, and the Future Skills Centre (FSC) announce the launch of an initiative aimed at strengthening the AI competencies of Quebec and Canadian professional communities. This innovative project, in collaboration with HEC Montréal's Tech3Lab, a laboratory specializing in user experience evaluation and human-computer interaction research, will run until the end of September 2025.
The project addresses an urgent need identified by recent studies showing that only 6% of business professionals feel "very comfortable" using AI in their work roles. To tackle this challenge, the project team will develop a training program featuring video modules and a free online self-assessment tool.
"This initiative aligns with IVADO's mission to contribute to the development of human-centered AI while fostering the skills necessary for its responsible and effective use in the workplace."
The project brings together several strategic partners, including the Quebec Order of Certified Human Resources Advisors, the Order of Engineers of Quebec, the Quebec Interprofessional Council, Digital Spring, the Quebec Bar Association, and the Quebec CPA Order.
This collaboration is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of Quebec and Canadian professionals, as well as employees in organizations where these individuals work.
“To fully realize the productivity potential of AI in Canada, we must ensure that both businesses and workers are equipped with the skills to use these tools confidently and responsibly. Canada’s ambitions depend on having people with the right skills, in the right places, at the right time—and this initiative is a vital step in getting there.”
The training program will focus on developing critical thinking about AI, understanding both the limitations and potential of this technology, and ensuring transparency and explainability of AI models in professional settings.
About IVADO
IVADO is an interdisciplinary and intersectoral consortium for research, training, transfer, and knowledge mobilization with a mission to build and promote robust, reasoning, and responsible artificial intelligence. Led by the Université de Montréal, with four university partners (Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal, Université Laval, and McGill University), IVADO brings together research centres, government and industry partners to co-develop ambitious cross-sector initiatives fostering a paradigm shift in AI and its adoption.
About the Future Skills Centre
The Future Skills Centre (FSC) is a forward-thinking centre for research and collaboration dedicated to driving innovation in skills development so that everyone in Canada can be prepared for the future of work. This initiative is funded by the Government of Canada's Future Skills Program.
About Tech3Lab at HEC Montréal
HEC Montréal's Tech3Lab is the world's largest academic research laboratory specializing in user experience (UX) evaluation with digital technologies, primarily in business contexts. Research conducted at Tech3Lab is characterized by the use of tools and methods from neuroscience and artificial intelligence, as well as measuring perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors to develop a comprehensive, accurate, and reliable understanding of user experiences (consumers, employees, or citizens) who interact with technology. Two research chairs working closely with industry coexist within Tech3Lab: the Chair in User Experience and the RBC Financial Group Chair in E-Commerce.
For more information, please contact:
Réjean Roy
Director, Training and Knowledge Mobilization
rejean.roy@ivado.ca
(514) 344-1392
For HEC Montréal
Émilie Novales
Conseillère principale en relation avec les médias, HEC Montréal
emilie.novales@hec.ca
438 520-3536