Artificial intelligence advisory committee

Since the spring of 2024, an artificial intelligence advisory committee has guided Université Laval’s digital transformation and advised its priorities committee on adopting a strategic vision for AI that focuses on three main divisions: teaching and learning, research, and administration.

For each division, a consulting team works with the advisory committee to put their ideas into practice. These teams recommend practices and strategies that leverage AI systems in a responsible and innovative way, with an approach that is agile and scalable.

An AI expert unit made up of specialized members with interdisciplinary skills also plays a key role, experimenting with AI systems and facilitating their integration within the university. The unit develops solutions tailored to the institutional needs, encourages innovation, and raise awareness among the ULaval community about the possibilities offered by AI.

Mandate

The AI advisory committee works in collaboration with the Vice Rector of Infrastructure and Transformation, who moderates and chairs the meetings. Its aim is to make sure the work aligns with the university’s priorities while maintaining an independent view. Its roles include:

  • Recommending the adoption of a strategic vision for AI and the steps required to implement it
  • Overseeing and carrying out the strategic plan for AI
  • Updating the strategic vision based on developments in the field of AI
  • Managing risks and opportunities
  • Carrying out monitoring activities and consulting the ULaval community on a regular basis

Members of the advisory committee

René Lacroix
Vice Rector of Infrastructure and Transformation (VRIT)
Chair of the AI Advisory Committee

René Lacroix

Christian Gagné
Director, Institute Intelligence and Data (IID) and Full Professor

Christian Gagné

Lyse Langlois
CEO, Obvia and Full Professor

Lyse Langlois

Guillaume Dubé
Information Security Officer

Guillaume Dubé

Mathieu Giguère
IT Director

Mathieu Giguère

Thomas Forget
Chief Privacy Officer

Thomas Forget

Marielle Lapointe
Deputy Vice Rector of Executive and Administrative Affairs
Head of the Administrative Division

Marielle Lapointe

Sehl Mellouli
Deputy Vice Rector of Education and Lifelong Learning
Head of the Teaching and Learning Division

Sehl Mellouli

Frédéric Picard
Deputy Vice Rector of Research, Creation, and Innovation
Head of the Research Division

Frédéric Picard

Tchyna Rose
Lead in Responsible and Innovative AI Adoption

Tchyna Rose

Nicolas Gagnon
Deputy Vice Rector of VRIT and Chief Information Officer

Nicolas Gagnon

Consulting teams

To maintain the reflective approach that was central to drafting the guiding principles, three permanent consulting teams were formed to establish guidelines and practices for each area of activity. These consulting teams are tasked continuously evaluating the relevance of their division’s guidelines and updating them regularly; collaborating on the development of the AI roadmap and monitoring its implementation; overseeing the responsible and innovative deployment of AI systems in activities related to their area; and adopting adaptive and flexible approaches to keep up with the rapid advances in AI.

Consulting teams division leads

The consulting teams leads for each division, in charge of AI adoption are resources you can contact with questions about guidelines and practices for using AI systems in a university setting. They can be reached at comite.ia@vrit.ulaval.ca.

  • Administrative consulting team lead: Catherine-Ann Blackburn
  • Teaching consulting team lead: Marie-Hélène Croteau-Bouffard
  • Learning consulting team lead: Dominique Lapierre
  • Research consulting team lead: Patrick Marois
  • Lead in Responsible and innovative AI governance: Tchyna Rose