Antony Diaz Laval Personality of the Year 2025
Each year, residents of Laval stand out through their actions, commitment, and ability to make a tangible difference in the community. To highlight these inspiring journeys, MCL and its community newspapers, Média Laval and Laval Weekly, are launching the Laval Personalities of the Year initiative.
This first edition aims to recognize individuals whose impact goes beyond their professional path and is deeply rooted in the community.
Laval Personality of the Year 2025: Antony Diaz
A social impact entrepreneur and CEO of AskAïa, he is recognized for his commitment to promoting the responsible use of artificial intelligence and for his concrete work to make immigration processes more accessible and more equitable.
Originally from Colombia, Antony Diaz arrived in Canada in 2011 without speaking French or English. He later settled in Laval after completing his studies at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf. Faced with the administrative complexity of the immigration journey, he chose to turn this personal challenge into a collective solution.
He founded AskAïa, an artificial intelligence platform designed to support immigrants and employers in managing documents, deadlines, and compliance, in more than 80 languages.
Today, AskAïa’s reach extends far beyond Laval, generating positive impacts across Quebec and Canada. With a strong social mission, the platform serves key sectors such as healthcare and construction, helping address labour shortages while promoting faster and more inclusive professional integration.
In Laval, where nearly one third of the population was born outside Canada according to Statistics Canada, this innovation responds directly to a deeply rooted local reality. Recognized as a Microsoft MVP in ethical artificial intelligence, Antony Diaz is also known for his expertise in cybersecurity and his ongoing efforts to promote responsible AI through conferences and public awareness initiatives.
Testimonial
His sister, Katyuska Diaz, describes him as follows:
“Antony has always been driven by a deep passion for problem solving and by a desire to have a positive impact on collective well-being. Innovation and entrepreneurship are not just what he does, but who he is. Everything he undertakes is done with authenticity, rigor, and a sincere passion for helping others.”
