ISM and Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa join forces to advance research in artificial intelligence and mental health

The research department at the Institut du Savoir Montfort (ISM), in collaboration with the Royal Ottawa's Department of Psychiatry Research, held a scientific retreat bringing together researchers, clinicians, and institutional partners to discuss the latest advances in mental health. This event also marked the official launch of the Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Mental Health, a structuring project funded by the Montfort Foundation and developed in partnership with the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa. 

This chair, led by Professor Justin Boutilier, is part of an ambitious vision: to accelerate the integration of innovative AI solutions in clinical settings to improve access, efficiency, and quality of mental health care. 

During the launch panel, Professor Boutilier highlighted an essential aspect of this partnership: the unique opportunity to anchor his research at the heart of a real healthcare setting. "For a long time, technology was a hindrance. Today, it is finally ready. Our real challenge now is to build the infrastructure needed to take full advantage of it and maximize the benefits for mental health," he said. Thanks to access to staff, data, and real-world situations, his work can be quickly tested, refined, and deployed for the benefit of patients and healthcare professionals. 

For ISM, this chair demonstrates the strength of a partnership that combines academic expertise, technological innovation, and clinical roots. Together, ISM and Telfer are promoting a model of collaboration that puts innovation at the service of a key issue: the mental health of our communities. 

This strategic partnership marks an important milestone in the relationship between Montfort and Telfer and will pave the way for new projects, initiatives, and collaborations in the coming years.