Our human team
KAIA was co-founded by Kesserwan Arteau partners Karina Kesserwan and
Jean-François Arteau, both lawyers with multidisciplinary expertise, boundless curiosity, and an unmatched sense of humour that AI has yet to rival. They are supported by a team of experts in law, strategy, government relations, communications, and technology.
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Karina Kesserwan
Co-Founder, Partner
Karina Kesserwan complemented her training in civil and common law at McGill University with graduate studies in ethics and sociology.
She began her career in private practice before serving as a policy advisor to provincial cabinet ministers and later as a lecturer at the college and university levels.
Upon founding her own firm, she initially specialized in Indigenous rights while handling a broad range of cases in fields such as mining law, health, treaty negotiations, culture, entrepreneurship support, and workplace harassment investigations.
For over six years, Karina has been passionate about AI integration, an interest that arose from her work on including Indigenous perspectives in technology. Her original publications and talks on ethics, diversity, and AI challenges have made her a sought-after speaker, recognized for her unique expertise in this rapidly evolving field.
Her prediction on AI: The costs of AI solutions, along with their ecological footprint, will rise significantly in the coming years.
Truth or AI hallucinations? Karina has delivered a talk referencing Marie Kondo, the Super Bowl, and Star Trek; she has been named one of Canada’s 100 most
influential women; she has traveled for work to the coldest city in the world.
Jean-François Arteau
Co-Founder, Partner
In addition to his undergraduate and graduate law degrees from the Université de Montréal, Jean-François Arteau holds a master’s degree in philosophy from Columbia University in New York. He is also a graduate of Harvard University’s faculties of law and medicine, with certifications in negotiation and addressing ethical disparities in healthcare.
A recognized expert on Arctic issues, Mr. Arteau has negotiated major agreements and historic accords with the governments of Quebec and Canada. His work with the Kativik Regional Government and Makivik Corporation, where he held leadership positions, shaped sustainable development and resource management policies that have left a lasting impact on Inuit communities. His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, and he is regularly invited to share his expertise at prestigious institutions such as the Henry Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington and Trent University in Peterborough.
Jean-François is also a well-known voice on Quebec radio (no, not that kind of voice or that kind of radio). He hosts the philosophy program À bien y penser on CKRL, exploring a variety of themes, including a special series on AI and philosophy.
His prediction on AI: In the near future, everyone will be able to live their life as an Avatar.
Truth or AI hallucinations? Jean-François is working on a book project with The New York Times; one of his court pleadings was adapted into a hit play; he once quit a
major law firm after just three days on the job.
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Our network of collaborators
In addition to our core team, we collaborate with a diverse network of consultants and partners, carefully selected to meet the specific needs of each project.
We work with recognized leaders in their fields, whether in law, technology, communications, or government relations.
This synergy of passionate and skilled individuals allows KAIA to remain flexible and dynamic, tailoring our team to address each unique challenge.
Our use of AI: A Hybrid Intelligence
At KAIA, we believe technology enhances talent but does not replace it. We advocate for responsible AI use and optimizing processes while keeping our human team at the heart of every project.