Update on the Study on AI in the Life Sciences Sector

May 8, 2025

Slide1

Quebec—and particularly Montreal—has established itself as a leader in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to the life sciences and health technologies (LSHT) sector. This unique convergence of technological, scientific, and industrial strengths positions the city at the forefront of innovation, attracting strategic investments and global partnerships. 

In this context, Montréal InVivo commissioned Innovitech to update the study on AI in life sciences in Québec. 

Objective: To provide an up-to-date analysis to better understand the adoption, barriers, and enablers of artificial intelligence in our healthcare ecosystem, and to propose a shared strategic vision to reinforce Québec’s leadership role in this key domain. A particular focus was placed on involving as many stakeholders as possible to ensure strong representativeness and a nuanced understanding of real-world needs.

Achievements:

Ecosystem Mobilization

More than 160 stakeholders were engaged through surveys, interviews, and workshops conducted as part of a province-wide outreach tour. By emphasizing a participatory approach grounded in user experience, the study gathered concrete, field-aligned recommendations. This engagement was further enabled by targeted, mobilizing communication throughout the process.

Broad Solution Pathways

Identification of innovation drivers at the provincial and national levels, based on insights gathered during individual interviews:

  • Facilitating data access and establishing a regulatory framework 
  • Awareness-building, education, and change management 
  • Feasibility and integration 
  • Funding and talent retention 
  • Commercialization, procurement, and reimbursement 
  • Responsible and ethical deployment of AI 

Prioritized Collective Solutions

Recommendations from provincial workshops, centered on four major pillars:

  • Access, transfer, and regulation of data 
  • Real-world health setting demonstrations of AI tools (interoperability, evaluation, access) 
  • Funding, commercialization, and procurement of AI tools in Québec’s healthcare system 
  • Ethical and responsible AI in healthcare 

International Benchmarking

Analysis of inspiring international initiatives around five axes: investment, R&D, training, public policy, and data infrastructure.

Consult the full report

What our client had to say: 

Claudie Noël

Senior Director – Operations

Montréal InVivo

The collaboration with Innovitech as part allowed us to go further in collecting valuable information. Thanks to their proposal to hold workshops across Québec, we were able to enrich the survey results by adding a field-based perspective. The facilitation of discussions, moderated by Vi and Frédérique, encouraged the active involvement of all stakeholders in identifying concrete solution paths. It’s a pleasure working with the Innovitech team, and we’re already looking forward to the next steps!

Further Reading