Laeka Research: A Quebec Nonprofit Rethinking AI

You might know Laeka Research without really knowing what we do. We’re a nonprofit working on AI, but not like the others. No venture capital screaming “exponential growth!”, not on Silicon Valley’s side. Just people who believe AI should serve Quebec communities, not the other way around.

Why a nonprofit for AI?

Good question. AI is dominated by American giants (OpenAI, Google, Meta). They build powerful tools, yes. But who thinks about Quebec’s needs? Who invests in French? Who wonders how AI can help a nonprofit in Trois-Rivières or an agricultural co-op in Beauce?

Nobody. So we created it ourselves.

The nonprofit structure isn’t just a legal label. It’s a promise: we’re not here to enrich investors. We’re here to generate public knowledge. Resources, training, tools you can use for free.

What do we actually do?

First, research. We study how AI affects Quebec. How does it impact employment? Culture? Regions? The most vulnerable? We publish our findings openly. It’s like science, but with AI.

Then, education. We created Sherpa, a free, open platform in French that explains AI without the headache. No unnecessary jargon. Just: what is it, what’s it for, what are the risks?

And then, we help organizations. A school, a nonprofit, a small business — we support them in using AI wisely. Not to replace people, but to do more with less.

Open source AI is our mission

Unlike the giants, we believe the best AI tools should be public, modifiable, adaptable. Imagine: an AI that speaks perfect Quebec French, that anyone can use without paying Microsoft or OpenAI? It’s possible. It’s even technically better. But it requires R&D investment that the private market won’t make.

That’s why we exist.

We need you

Laeka Research isn’t a corporation. It’s a community. The more people who think like you — that AI should serve Quebec — the more we can do. Whether you’re a developer, a teacher, a curious person, or someone who works at a nonprofit: you can help us.

By using Sherpa. By contributing to our projects. By asking us your rawest questions about AI. Because your questions guide our research.

Want to know more? Check out laeka.org/lab/. That’s where we share what we do, how we do it, and how you can get involved. And try Sherpa to understand AI in real Quebec terms.