With Canada and Quebec in particular emerging as a global hub for artificial intelligence, we must be adequately prepared to support the rapid development of AI-based technologies. This starts with training the next generation. After all, they will drive research, promote the use of AI in businesses, and reflect on the social impacts of emerging AI technologies.

PIA—which stands for Pôle montréalais d’enseignement supérieur en intelligence artificielle—was created to ensure that college and university programs remain aligned with industry needs and to shed light on the social and ethical considerations related to the rise of AI. By mobilizing its members, which include representatives from nearly 20 colleges and universities, and by partnering with leaders from the AI community, PIA aims to support post-secondary institutions so that they can effectively create and update academic programs in order to reflect current and future AI needs.

To meet its ambitious objectives, PIA will focus on two core issues: changing demand for AI skills and available training for these skills. Specifically, PIA members—which include professors, researchers, curriculum managers and other institutional stakeholders—will assess which AI skills are in highest demand in different business sectors and determine whether adjustments or additions are needed to academic programs to ensure these needs are met. By ensuring that advanced AI education is available in Montreal, PIA members will actively contribute to social development and economic growth in the city and across the province.

• 
  COLLEGES
• Cégep André-Laurendeau : claurendeau.qc.ca
• Cégep de Saint-Laurent : cegepsl.qc.ca
• Cégep du Vieux Montréal : cvm.qc.ca
• Cégep Gérald-Godin : cgodin.qc.ca
• Cégep Marie-Victorin : cegepmv.ca
• Cégep Vanier : vaniercollege.qc.ca
• Collège Ahuntsic : collegeahuntsic.qc.ca
• Dawson College: dawsoncollege.qc.ca
• Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne : bdeb.qc.ca
• Collège de Maisonneuve : cmaisonneuve.qc.ca
• Collège de Rosemont : crosemont.qc.ca
• John-Abbott College: johnabbott.qc.ca
• 
  UNIVERSITIES

• École de technologie supérieure: etsmtl.ca
• HEC Montréal: hec.ca
• Polytechnique: polymtl.ca
• Université Concordia: concordia.ca
• Université de Montréal: umontreal.ca
• Université du Québec à Montréal: uqam.ca
• McGill University: mcgill.ca

PIA’s mission is to enable colleges and universities to institute a coordinated response to training gaps arising from current and future developments in AI and to establish a shared understanding of the impacts of these developments.

PIA aims to improve the abilities of Montreal colleges and universities to quickly create and update post-secondary programs related to AI, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The organization also aims to promote socioeconomic development in Montreal and Quebec by fostering knowledge transfer between organizations that are—or that wish to be—stakeholders in the development of the AI field.

1) Create a community of individuals who are interested in and committed to addressing AI issues. In order for this community to be vibrant and successful in uniting post-secondary institutions, PIA will provide ongoing leadership and networking services for its members. 2) Establish a mechanism for tracking changes in demand for AI experts and specific skills. This is particularly important given the rapid pace of change in AI applications. 3) Facilitate and support the co-development of academic programs by its members, with input from external partners as needed.