What is EDI?

Equity

Equity involves treating all members of the academic community with fairness, impartiality and transparency, while recognizing the existence of advantages and barriers that place community members at different starting points. Equity is thus a process, which begins by recognizing these inequalities and ensuring that sustained efforts are invested to address the imbalances.

Diversity

Diversity consists of the conditions, expressions and experiences of different individuals and groups identified by age, education, gender orientation, parental status/responsibility, immigration status, Indigenous status, religion, disability, language, race, place of origin, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status and other attributes. Diversity is thus a complex and multidimensional concept encompassing aspects relating to individuals as well as society. Diversity is often linked to visible dimensions but also touches upon a number of invisible ones: thoughts, perspectives, and life experiences including, for example, one’s education, family circumstances, values, and aspirations.

Inclusion

Inclusion refers to an intentional process to commit to diversity so that each member of the academic community is given the opportunity to take part in, and actively contribute to, the university’s progress and receive the same recognition. To be real and sustained, inclusion must be reflected in university leadership as well as in governance, teaching, research, employment, and community activities. Inclusion also requires that organizations affirm the values and principles of equity, justice and respect and remain open to different opinions and perspectives.

Valuing EDI in the field of artificial intelligence

With the support of our community, we create synergies between three main areas of expertise that are changing our society: data analytics, operational research and artificial intelligence (AI). Unfortunately, many large groups in our society, particularly women, are currently underrepresented in these areas. The lack of diversity in this ecosystem hampers excellence and sustainable development in data science, and poses major risks to innovation. The reproduction of biases and perpetuation of discrimination based on gender or ethnic or social origin are examples of these risks. In response to these various challenges, we offer the following types of support.

The Action Inclusion Challenge

Learn. Collaborate. Co-create.

The Action Inclusion Challenge is a non-competitive design thinking challenge that connects 5 multidisciplinary teams with industry partners who have identified inclusion challenges within their organizations. The teams must then co-create social innovation solutions that use artificial intelligence (AI) to solve these challenges. This is a unique opportunity to develop social innovation projects in artificial intelligence by enriching your skills, developing a network, and sharing your passion with creativity!

Meet the teams and their projects

If you are...

A student at the pre-university level

We provide financial support for the following initiatives, which invite young people from all backgrounds to learn more about artificial intelligence (note that because of the COVID-19 situation, some events have been cancelled or postponed):

A student in one of the fields of artificial intelligence

We provide financial support for the following initiatives aimed at facilitating diversity inclusion in artificial intelligence:

A researcher in artificial intelligence

Tell our EDI Advisor about your interests and be the first to learn about our upcoming opportunities by subscribing to our newsletter

You can also read descriptions of our FRQ-IVADO Research Chairs in diversity and equity in artificial intelligence:

A postdoctoral researcher with an interest in EDI

See whether we have any open calls for applications for postdoctoral funding! Tell our EDI Advisor about your interests and be the first to learn about our upcoming opportunities by subscribing to our newsletter.

You can also read descriptions of our FRQ-IVADO Research Chairs in diversity and equity in artificial intelligence:

An organization wishing to collaborate with IVADO for EDI initiatives

Complete this dedicated form.

Someone organizing an EDI consultation and awareness process in the field of artificial intelligence

Draw inspiration from our reference framework!