MONTREAL, February 16, 2026 – The Palais des congrès de Montréal has selected Montréal-based Mapping Motion to transform a portion of its space into an interactive art installation using artificial intelligence. The project, titled “Stay Toon!”, will debut during the E-AI 2026 summit on February 18 and 19, and will as well be featured during the Nuit blanche de Montréal on February 28.
Mapping Motion was chosen following a call for concepts launched in the summer of 2025, a collaborative effort between the Palais des congrès, its audiovisual partner TKNL, and Divertir IA. The initiative aimed to explore how artificial intelligence could reshape event spaces and enhance visitor experiences, prioritizing interactive and accessible designs rooted in the Palais’ environment.
“Stay Toon!” invites participants to have their photograph taken and then transformed, via generative AI, into a cartoon-style portrait inspired by the work of digital artist Jeremy Fassio. A second AI component then animates these portraits, integrating them into a constantly evolving digital mosaic displayed within the Palais. The project is described as a “150% work: 100% human, 50% AI,” emphasizing the central role of human creativity in the process.
According to the Palais des congrès, Mapping Motion will receive $25,000 in funding to support the development of “Stay Toon!”, alongside professional and technical assistance from TKNL. The installation is designed to be user-friendly, bilingual, and adaptable to various events held at the Palais.
“Artificial intelligence opens up novel possibilities for rethinking our spaces and how the public experiences them,” said Emmanuelle Legault, President and CEO of the Palais des congrès de Montréal. “With this call for concepts, we wanted to move from reflection to concrete experimentation, on site. Stay Toon! embodies this goal perfectly: an accessible, participatory work that transforms the event experience and invites the public to enjoy the Palais in a whole new way.”
Jeremy Fassio, cocreator of “Stay Toon!”, added that the artwork’s cartoon aesthetic provides a universal language, transcending borders and making the experience intuitive for a diverse audience. “Behind the cutting-edge technology, the interaction is simple and intuitive, for an immediate result that everyone can understand and enjoy,” Fassio stated.
E-AI 2026, where “Stay Toon!” will first be unveiled, is positioned as the first international summit dedicated to the intersection of artificial intelligence and creative industries. The event will feature conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities for leaders in the field. Official images from “Stay Toon!” are scheduled to be released on February 18.
