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CEAUX
What is CEAUX?
What is CEAUX?
CEAUX (Cultural, Ethical, and Adaptive UX) is a research-based framework that responds to the growing need for inclusive and fair AI in public services. Developed using Design Science Research, it combines ICT4D theory and Universal Design principles to deliver human-centered systems that reflect the lived realities of marginalized communities.Â
Why CEAUX?
Why CEAUX?
AI adoption in government is accelerating, but communities with distinct cultural, linguistic, or socioeconomic profiles are often excluded. CEAUX directly addresses this gap by integrating cultural relevance, ethical responsibility, and design adaptability into the heart of AI systems.
How Does CEAUX Work?Â
How Does CEAUX Work?Â
CEAUX uses Adaptability to connect cultural and ethical values with real user experience. It draws from:
ICT4D – Context-aware, inclusive tech
Universal Design – Accessibility for all
Adaptive Mediation Theory – Adaptability as the bridge
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CulturalÂ
CulturalÂ
Aligns with users’ language, symbols, and heritage, ensuring technology feels familiar, respectful, and contextually relevant.Â
EthicalÂ
EthicalÂ
Fosters trust through transparent, fair, and accountable design that safeguards dignity and equity for all users.Â
AdaptiveÂ
AdaptiveÂ
Tailors content and interface behavior to diverse user needs, enabling responsive, personalized experiences.Â
User Experience
User Experience
Delivers accessible, intuitive, and emotionally supportive interactions—making systems feel inclusive and empowering.
System-Level Evaluation Guide
🟢 28–32 — Culturally Adaptive System: The system demonstrates strong, intentional cultural alignment across all pillars.
🟡 20–27 — Culturally Aware but Incomplete: Efforts are visible but not consistent or deeply embedded across dimensions.
🟠12–19 — Needs Cultural Redesign: The system misses key cultural elements and risks excluding marginalized users.
🔴 0–11 — Culturally Misaligned or Exclusionary: Little to no cultural consideration; design may reproduce structural exclusion.
Adaptability Pillars
Adaptive Mediation Theory – Adaptability as the bridge
Adaptability Pillars
Adaptive Mediation Theory – Adaptability as the bridge
◀️Use this checklist to evaluate how well an AI systems can respond to diverse cultural realities.
The CEAUX framework is built upon five critical pillars that guide our design and evaluation:
Language: Beyond translation; adapting to dialects, nuance, and communication styles.
Religion: Respecting beliefs, accommodating practices, and sensitive representation.
Socioeconomic Structure: Designing for varying access to resources, devices, and infrastructure.
Homeland Identity: Valuing cultural background, community ties, and historical context.
Education: Tailoring content and interaction based on digital literacy and tech savviness.
These pillars serve as the criteria for our adaptive designs and the dimensions for evaluation in our participatory workshop.
Ground-Level Testing of CEAUXÂ
Ground-Level Testing of CEAUXÂ
This research centers on Arab Mediterranean immigrants in Quebec and investigates how AI systems can be designed to better reflect and support culturally diverse communities. Using a participatory research approach, the study engages directly with community members to ensure their voices shape the design process.Â
Methods include:
Design Science Research
In-depth Interviews and Focus Groups
Co-design and Participatory Design Sessions
The goal:
To reimagine public services that are more inclusive, ethically aligned, and culturally responsive.
Policy and Design Frameworks Aligned with CEAUX Principles
Policy and Design Frameworks Aligned with CEAUX Principles
These toolkits and frameworks offer practical guidance for building AI systems that are transparent, fair, and culturally responsive—principles that also underpin the CEAUX framework.Â
Google AI/UX Toolkits
Google AI/UX Toolkits
Why Google’s Tools Are Included in the CEAUX Study
As a dominant force in digital infrastructure, Google significantly influences how global users experience AI and public-facing technologies. Its publicly available resources on responsible AI, accessibility, and inclusive design offer a relevant opportunity to evaluate how existing industry tools align—or misalign—with the cultural values and pillars outlined in the CEAUX framework. Including these tools allows the study to critically examine how large-scale platforms approach cultural inclusion in practice.
The CEAUX Framework in detail:
Bridging Cultural Values and Innclusive AI DesignÂ
The CEAUX Framework in detail:
Bridging Cultural Values and Innclusive AI DesignÂ
This model illustrates how the CEAUX framework connects real-world user experiences with theoretical foundations to address cultural exclusion in digital public services.
By positioning adaptability as a bridge between cultural values and usability, CEAUX offers a path toward more inclusive, equitable AI—grounded in both research and practice.
The team
The team
Scarlett Myriam Jebara
Researcher
Master’s Candidate in User Experience, HEC Montréal
Founder of the CEAUX framework, with a focus on inclusive, culturally adaptive AI for public services.
Dr. Joé T. Trempe-Martineau
Research Supervisor
Chair in Organizational Ethics and AI Governance HEC, Montréal
Specialist in Responsible AI, ethical governance, and public-sector innovation.
Prof. Wietske Van Osch
Research Supervisor
Professor of Information Technologies, HEC Montréal
Expert in Design Science Research, digital innovation, and inclusive technologies.
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