What CEIMIA does

CEIMIA (Centre international d'expertise de Montréal en intelligence artificielle) is a Montreal-based, non-profit international center of expertise established in 2020 to advance the responsible development of artificial intelligence. The organization operates as the Montreal Center of Expertise within the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), a 28-country intergovernmental body, and serves as Secretariat for the Network of Centres for International Cooperation on AI. It organizes its work across four programs: AI for the Environment, AI for Global Health, Data for AI, and Governance and Human Rights.

CEIMIA's deliverables are research reports, comparative regulatory frameworks, policy tools, roadmaps, and mentorship programs rather than commercial software products. Notable proprietary outputs include the three-phase Comparative Framework for AI Regulatory Policy (covering Canada, China, EU, UK, US and over 10 countries on AI and copyright), the 'Aiming for AI Interoperability' report and roadmap (funded by Google.org), the Sandbox for Responsible AI Public Procurement (with WEF), and a Code of Conduct for Responsible Use of AI by Political Parties in Quebec co-developed with IVADO. Applied project work includes the AI for Pandemic Resilience platform, an AI for Drug Discovery international partnership, and data-institution frameworks demonstrating Privacy-Enhancing Technologies for social-benefit use cases including climate-induced migration contexts.

CEIMIA does not charge for its research outputs; operating funding flows from government contributions through the GPAI ecosystem, multilateral grants (notably IDRC), and philanthropy (notably Google.org). Customer segments are governments and policymakers, international organizations (GPAI, UN, OECD, EU), public health agencies, public sector institutions, and African AI ecosystem stakeholders. The organization maintains 1-10 employees led by Executive Director Sophie Fallaha and partners with Mila, IVADO, the European Law Institute, the World Economic Forum, the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and other Montreal-anchored AI research institutions.

Name

CEIMIA

Legal name

Centre international d'expertise de Montréal en intelligence artificielle (CEIMIA)

Website

https://ceimia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CEIMIA is a Montreal-based non-profit international center developing applied AI governance frameworks, comparative regulatory policy analyses, and policy tools for governments and international organizations, serving as the Montreal Center of Expertise within GPAI's 28-country network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

AI Governance Research and Policy Advisory

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Responsible AI, AI Governance & Compliance Services (BPAEAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory Readiness & Audit Automation (e.g., EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001) (HDAAAMAE), Audit, Explainability & Accountability Tooling (traceability, reporting) (HDAAAKAL), AI Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Platforms (HDAAAMAA)

Keywords

• AI governance research
• Responsible AI policy
• Regulatory framework analysis
• Algorithmic transparency
• Data governance frameworks

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CEIMIA develops and implements applied AI governance projects, comparative policy frameworks, and practical implementation tools for responsible AI. Its work spans four program areas — AI for the Environment, AI for Global Health, Data for AI, and Governance and Human Rights — and delivers deliverables such as comparative regulatory analyses, interoperability roadmaps, transparency toolkits, mentorship programs, and policy codes of conduct.

Product overview

CEIMIA (Centre international d'expertise de Montréal en intelligence artificielle) operates as an international center of expertise focused on responsible AI development rather than a traditional product company. The organization is structured around four core program areas: Governance and Human Rights, Data for AI, AI for Global Health, and AI for Environment. Under these programs, CEIMIA develops and manages numerous research projects and initiatives including the Comparative Framework for AI Regulatory Policy, Aiming for AI Interoperability, Scaling Responsible AI Solutions (SRAIS) mentorship program, Well-governed Data Availability and Access for AI, Algorithmic Transparency in the Public Sector, and various initiatives on data justice, pandemic resilience, drug discovery, and AI in Africa. The organization also produces policy tools such as the Code of Conduct for AI use by political parties in Quebec. CEIMIA's work is primarily research-oriented, delivering reports, frameworks, roadmaps, and practical tools rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A Comparative Framework for AI Regulatory Policy An analytical comparative framework that captures key similarities and differences between AI regulatory approaches across five jurisdictions (Canada, China, EU, UK, US), covering seven categories including AI definition, risk approach, regulatory requirements, and monitoring/enforcement. Targets AI policymakers and regulators.
• Aiming for AI Interoperability A research project and report examining AI governance efforts, regulatory interoperability challenges, and implementation strategies, drawing insights from other industries and developing roadmaps for advancing AI regulatory and technical interoperability. Targets public, private, standard-setting, and non-profit sectors.
• Well-governed Data Availability and Access for AI Project demonstrating practical use of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) for AI systems to overcome data barriers while respecting privacy, sovereignty, access control, and intellectual property rights, supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals. Targets AI developers and data providers.
• Algorithmic Transparency in the Public Sector Project providing practical frameworks and guidelines to promote fairness, accountability, and public trust in AI-driven governance through algorithmic transparency tools, case studies from Chile, EU, and UK, and policy recommendations. Targets government departments and agencies deploying AI in public services.
• Scaling Responsible AI Solutions (SRAIS) Expert mentorship program that fosters collaborations to implement responsible AI principles, helping AI teams scale their solutions responsibly by providing guidance on RAI practices, overcoming challenges, and developing action plans. Targets AI development teams seeking responsible AI guidance.
• From Co-generated Data to Generative AI Project exploring concepts of co-generation of data and AI models, focusing on collective data rights and governance models in digital ecosystems for ethical AI deployment and transnational policy convergence. Targets policymakers and digital ecosystem stakeholders.
• Enabling Data Sharing for Social Benefit through Data Institutions Project developing a trustworthy framework for data institutions enabling safe, fair, and equitable data sharing while empowering individuals and communities to enact their data rights for responsible AI applications supporting UN SDGs. Targets data institutions and communities pursuing social benefit use cases.
• Advancing Research and Practice for Data Justice Project promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability in data-driven decision-making by addressing biases and inequalities in data collection and empowering marginalized communities through data rights. Targets researchers, policymakers, and marginalized communities.
• The Role of Governments as a Provider of Data for AI Project developing a practical roadmap/checklist for governments to responsibly share data for AI innovation while protecting fundamental rights, privacy, and public trust, based on global case studies. Targets government data providers and policy teams.
• Sandbox for Responsible AI Public Procurement Procurement sandbox prototype to help GPAI member states assess AI products and services for compliance with responsible AI procurement guidelines, identifying gaps and challenges through co-creation workshops. Targets GPAI member states and public procurement bodies.
• State of AI in Africa Preliminary scan of African AI ecosystems providing strategic analysis of research, policies, infrastructures, initiatives, stakeholders, and partnerships to identify Africa's needs for responsible AI solutions. Targets AI ecosystem stakeholders across Africa.
• Towards Real Diversity and Gender Equality in AI Partnership with Mila developing concrete tools and recommendations for GPAI member states to ensure diversity and gender equality throughout the AI lifecycle based on international human rights and gender equality standards. Targets GPAI member states and AI ecosystem actors.
• Transparency Mechanisms for Social Media Recommender Algorithms Project piloting a transparency mechanism to test whether recommender systems may lead users toward harmful content, proposing fact-finding exercises allowing external researchers to examine social media company practices. Targets regulators, researchers, and social media companies.
• AI for Pandemic Resilience Living online directory of promising AI initiatives to combat pandemics and build societal resilience, including an AI-calibrated ensemble of non-pharmaceutical intervention models for decision-making. Targets public health agencies and pandemic decision-makers.
• AI for Drug Discovery International partnership initiative to establish parameters for using AI to accelerate and reduce costs of new drug development for neglected diseases, including antimicrobial resistance and tropical diseases. Targets public health organizations and research institutions.
• Code of Conduct for AI in Electoral Context Voluntary code developed with IVADO providing guidelines for responsible AI use by political parties in Quebec, built on four principles: transparency, responsible use, security/governance, and awareness/prevention. Targets political parties and electoral actors in Quebec.
• Governance and Human Rights Program Program focusing on developing effective, responsive, and human rights-sensitive AI governance frameworks, providing tools to integrate governance and human rights practices throughout the AI lifecycle. Targets AI governance ecosystem stakeholders.
• Data for AI Program Program exploring approaches for data to be collected, used, shared, archived, and deleted consistently with human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, economic growth, and societal benefit while addressing UN SDGs. Targets data governance stakeholders and AI developers.
• AI for Global Health Program Program fostering responsible development and use of AI-enabled solutions for more efficient and accessible healthcare services, addressing global health issues including pandemic resilience and drug discovery. Targets public health agencies and health AI researchers.

Quantifiable outcome

• AI-powered farming advisory achieved 9% reduction in pesticide use, 5% decrease in fertilizer usage, and 21% increase in yields per acre (7000 farmers in Telangana, India)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• IVADO (Institute for Data-driven Valorisation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025Joint development of the Code of Conduct for the Responsible Use of AI by Political Parties in Quebec, launched October 2025. The code was co-authored by researchers from Université de Montréal, Université Laval, and OBVIA, with IVADO and CEIMIA publishing the code and explanatory video materials. The Quebec National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion supporting this code in March 2026.
• UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to implement algorithmic transparency best practices, including refining the UK's Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard Template, creating practical guidance for public sector bodies, and developing dissemination plans.
• GPAI (Global Partnership on AI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEIMIA serves as the Montreal Center of Expertise within GPAI, operating as one of three Centers supporting the partnership's mission. CEIMIA develops and implements applied AI projects aligned with GPAI's responsible AI priorities, coordinates with INRIA (France) and NICT (Japan) as sister centers, and supports the broader Network of Centres for International Cooperation on AI.
• Mila (Quebec AI Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mila on the 'Towards Real Diversity and Gender Equality in AI' project, providing the AI ecosystem with frameworks and recommendations for diversity throughout the AI cycle, based on existing guidelines and international human rights standards.
• European Law Institute (ELI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Law Institute serves as delivery partner for the 'From Co-generated Data to Generative AI' project, exploring governance models and collective data rights in digital ecosystems. ELI's Advisory Committee provides oversight and expertise on European legal perspectives.
• World Economic Forum (WEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with WEF on the 'Sandbox for Responsible AI Public Procurement' project, with potential engagement through WEF's Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in multiple countries to pilot AI procurement sandbox prototypes.
• The Future SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Pandemic Resilience AI project, contributing to the development of an AI-calibrated ensemble of models for pandemic decision-making, alongside Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Weill Cornell Medicine, and other international research institutions.
• ESSTIC (Ecole Supérieure des Sciences et Techniques de l'Information et de la Communication)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership agreement with ESSTIC supporting master students in Digital Humanities to conduct research related to the State of AI in Africa project, focusing on ongoing initiatives, existing policies, and research infrastructure.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Partnership on AI: Multi-stakeholder nonprofit convening industry, academia, and civil society on responsible AI practices. Comparable to CEIMIA as a peer organization producing AI governance frameworks and best practices, though with a primarily industry-funder model and broader thematic scope.
• AI Now Institute: U.S.-based research institute focused on the social implications of AI, producing policy research and reports on AI accountability, rights, and governance. Directly comparable to CEIMIA as a mission-aligned research organization producing AI governance frameworks and policy recommendations, though with a U.S. rather than international focus.
• The Future Society: An independent AI governance think tank that produces policy research and convenes multi-stakeholder initiatives on responsible AI. Directly comparable to CEIMIA as a peer organization collaborating on the Pandemic Resilience AI project and operating in the same AI policy advisory space.
• Ada Lovelace Institute: U.K.-based research institute examining the ethical and societal implications of AI and data-driven technologies. Directly comparable to CEIMIA as a peer research organization publishing AI governance frameworks, conducting policy work with government partners, and convening multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Mila (Quebec AI Institute): Quebec-based AI research institute and a CEIMIA Core partner on the 'Towards Real Diversity and Gender Equality in AI' project. Directly comparable as a Montreal-headquartered AI research organization with a strong responsible AI focus, sharing overlapping programs and government relationships.
• IVADO (Institute for Data-driven Valorisation): Montreal-based AI research and training consortium and a CEIMIA Core partner that jointly co-published the Code of Conduct for AI in Quebec politics. Directly comparable as a peer organization with overlapping responsible AI focus, shared Quebec institutional ecosystem, and government engagement model.

Broad incumbents

• World Economic Forum AI Governance Alliance: WEF's AI Governance work is a Core CEIMIA partner on the Sandbox for Responsible AI Public Procurement. Comparable as a broader incumbent that convenes governments, industry, and civil society on AI governance standards at greater scale but with a less specialized research output model.
• OECD AI Policy Observatory: Intergovernmental initiative providing AI policy analysis and country-level indicators to OECD members. Comparable as a peer in the international AI governance research space, but with a broader policy mandate, deeper government mandate, and larger institutional footprint than CEIMIA.
• Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI): Stanford-based AI research institute producing influential AI policy research, indices, and government engagement. Comparable to CEIMIA's responsible AI policy work, but with a much larger research footprint, broader funding base, and stronger U.S. government connections.

Emerging players

• Center for AI Safety: Research and advocacy organization focused on AI safety risks and governance. Comparable to CEIMIA in the AI governance and policy space, though with a narrower focus on catastrophic risk and existential safety rather than the broader responsible AI and applied governance remit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CEIMIA_mtl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ceimia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CEIMIA