AI in Action: From Virtual Models to Real Success Stories in Quebec SMEs

Artificial intelligence has evolved from an emerging innovation to a strategic lever for businesses. While some AI applications make headlines—such as the creation of an AI-generated model by Vogue Portugal— it is above all Quebec SMEs and organizations that, quietly but surely, are adopting AI into their critical processes.

Vogue Creates Its First AI Model: A Global Showcase

Did you know that in July 2025, the August issue of Vogue Portugal included an advertisement generated entirely by AI, featuring a fictional model, digital scenography, and a photo shoot that never happened? [1]

Beyond the controversy it sparked, this symbolic move illustrates the rapid evolution of generative AI tools (Midjourney, DALL·E, Runway, etc.) in professional-grade productions.
But this power is no longer limited to the creative world. It has now become a tactical asset for SMEs across all industries.

The State of AI in Quebec Businesses

According to a survey conducted by KPMG on the use of generative AI in business [2]:

• 76% of Quebec companies already use generative AI, compared to 61% nationally
• 70% of SMEs report tangible efficiency gains
• 92% of executives believe AI is a key factor of competitiveness

Reflecting an organizational ecosystem that is bold, agile, and resolutely innovation-driven, Quebec is positioning itself as Canada’s leader in generative AI adoption. This innovation dynamic, already well underway, must be nurtured and accelerated. More than ever, innovation is the engine of a resilient and prosperous economy. Let’s continue to build on our ability to innovate, experiment, and transform challenges into concrete opportunities.

A Quebec Company’s AI Integration Success Story

The Challenge
Marie, a real estate broker, had to compare dozens of property offers each week for expansion projects. Each listing varied in format, terminology, and structure—a tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone task.

GTI Canada’s Intervention
To address Marie’s business challenge, GTI designed an AI-powered solution to automatically analyze the offers, extract relevant data (square footage, price, location, legal constraints, etc.), and compare them in a clear and interactive dashboard.

The Results

• A drastic reduction in analysis time (saving several hours per file)
• Faster, better-informed decision-making
• A standardized process, even with heterogeneous documents

Where to Start in Your Organization?

1. Map out repetitive tasks such as writing, follow-ups, and reporting
2. Choose 1 or 2 simple cases to automate with AI
3. Explore tools already included in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
4. Train and supervise teams to avoid risks (e.g., data leaks)

Start on the Right Foot: Train Before You Automate

A successful AI project often starts with… training. Whether for your IT teams, managers, or business staff, understanding how AI works—its strengths and its limits—helps maximize returns and minimize costly mistakes (such as using sensitive data in a public chatbot).

And most importantly:
➡️ You don’t need a colossal budget.
➡️ You don’t need to change everything overnight.

Many Quebec SMEs begin with targeted projects such as automating report generation, supporting customer service, or enriching business analysis with Copilot. These small steps allow businesses to test concrete use cases, build trust, and foster a culture of innovation.

In many cases, a well-focused training session is enough to develop the right reflexes and quickly identify a first high-potential project.

GTI offers tailored training sessions on artificial intelligence tools like Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT, perfectly adapted to the realities of business managers. These sessions are designed to give your teams practical skills, regardless of their level of knowledge.

And If You Don’t Have an AI Team?

GTI supports Quebec SMEs with:

• Identifying high-value use cases
• Integrating tools like Microsoft Copilot
• Ensuring compliance with Law 25
• Training teams on AI tools based on business realities

AI: A Productivity Lever

AI is no longer just a project for the future—it’s an immediate lever for productivity and agility.
Whether to secure your data, speed up decision-making, or better serve your clients, the tools exist—and you may already have them.