CEIMIA & IVADO Release Awareness Report on AI’s Impact on Elections and Democracy

MONTREAL, January 21, 2025 – As Canada prepares for upcoming elections and Quebec’s 2026 vote approaches, understanding artificial intelligence’s (AI) impact on electoral integrity and democratic processes has become increasingly urgent.

To address these concerns, CEIMIA and IVADO have released a public report aimed at educating voters and policymakers about how AI affects elections and democratic systems. The report is part of a wider initiative examining AI’s role in democracy, which will include the release of an international policy statement.

In their report “AI and Democracy – Understanding the Effects of AI on Elections” IVADO and CEIMIA lay the groundwork for a broader examination of these pressing challenges. The study explores both the safeguards needed to protect democratic institutions from AI misuse and the potential for this technology to strengthen democratic participation. The initiative reflects both organizations’ dedication to advancing responsible AI development.

The report examines three main challenges where AI usage dramatically amplifies existing phenomena to unprecedented levels: political microtargeting, deepfakes, and the spread of misinformation. The analyses demonstrate these technologies’ growing influence on public opinion and electoral outcomes. The document also critically addresses potential collective solutions from legal and political perspectives while presenting individual solutions for businesses and citizens.

“Democracy cannot be taken for granted. We must remain collectively vigilant, and governments need to take decisive action to safeguard our democratic systems from AI’s harmful effects and protect electoral integrity,” says Professor Catherine Régis, Director of Social Innovation and International Policy at IVADO.

“Public participation is vital to democratic health. For AI to build rather than undermine public trust, we need an approach grounded in transparency, fairness, and fundamental rights. This report is part of our broader effort to raise public awareness,” says Sophie Fallaha, Executive Director of CEIMIA.

The report presents 4 key recommendations:

• Strengthening the legislative framework governing AI in electoral contexts
• Demanding greater transparency and algorithmic testing from digital platforms
• Creating civic education programs on digital issues
• Establishing collaborative monitoring mechanisms involving civil society

The complete report is available here.

The Centre d’expertise international de Montréal en intelligence artificielle (CEIMIA) is an organization at the heart of international partnerships dedicated to researching and developing AI solutions that address major societal challenges. CEIMIA positions itself as a key player in responsible AI development, operating on principles of ethics, human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth. CEIMIA develops and implements high-impact applied projects in responsible AI. CEIMIA is one of the Centres of Expertise of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), working with 44 governments on the development and adoption of responsible AI.

IVADO is an interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral research and knowledge mobilization consortium whose mission is to develop and promote a robust, reasoning and responsible AI. Led by Université de Montréal with four university partners (Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal, Université Laval and McGill University), IVADO brings together research centers, government bodies and industry members to co-build ambitious cross-sectoral initiatives with the goal of fostering a paradigm shift for AI and its adoption.