Quebec Public Agencies Accelerate AI Projects by 54% in Less Than a Year

The number of artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives within Quebec’s public administration has surged by 54% in less than a year. According to the Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology (MCN), the total number of AI projects reached 258 as of June 2025, up from 168 in October 2024. The health network and the higher-education sector together account for more than half of these initiatives.

The MCN’s latest report highlights that over half of the AI projects are fully operational, while 45% remain in development. The increase in AI adoption is attributed to various factors, including improved accessibility of AI solutions and their enhanced alignment with the needs of public bodies. The ministry noted that public agencies are increasingly utilizing AI to enhance service quality and automate tasks.

Government Initiatives and Support

The trend is consistent with the Quebec government’s goals of modernizing public services and advancing digital transformation. Strengthened guidelines regarding AI usage have helped increase public confidence in adopting these technologies. In December 2024, the MCN introduced new regulations governing the use of generative AI by public bodies and updated principles for responsible AI use. These guidelines address expectations surrounding risk assessments, allowing agencies to feel more comfortable exploring AI solutions.

The report reveals that the number of public bodies engaging in AI initiatives rose by 30% in just eight months, from 65 to 83. This growth reflects a broader democratization of AI technology across public services.

Key Sectors and Project Examples

The health sector is at the forefront of these initiatives, with about one-third of the projects, totaling 81, focused on planning, prediction, and decision support. For instance, the Ministry of Education has implemented a solution designed to predict the risks associated with student dropouts from Grade 6 through Secondary 5. On the health side, a pilot project by the Ministry of Health and Social Services aims to develop models that map patient flow in hospitals, targeting reductions in emergency room wait times.

Other notable categories of AI solutions include conversational agents, with 68 initiatives, as well as automation (36), image processing or medical imaging (27), and geomatics and geospatial management (22). The health and social services network is one of the most active sectors, making up approximately one-third of all reported AI initiatives. Following this, higher education institutions accounted for 58 projects, while the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests reported 26 initiatives.

The MCN also noted that 61 AI projects were specifically aimed at enhancing citizen service delivery.

Looking ahead, the MCN anticipates continued growth in AI usage within public administration over the next year. The ministry stated, “AI technologies continue to evolve rapidly, while the needs of public bodies keep growing. As public bodies improve their ability to adopt these technologies, the conditions are favourable for new initiatives to emerge.”

In February 2024, a ministerial order mandated that public bodies report any AI projects or initiatives to the MCN annually, with the exception of those related to cybersecurity. This move aims to ensure a structured approach to AI deployment that prioritizes safety and responsibility.

As Quebec continues to embrace AI, the public sector’s innovative strides could set a benchmark for other regions looking to enhance service delivery through technology.