National Leader in Election Modernization and AI Governance

Ahmed Al-Samahy

20 years building the systems that power Canadian democracy.
Now applying that experience to usher in the next era of AI in public service.

From Coast to Coast

Transforming Canadian Elections

Over the past 8 years at DataFix, I’ve helped evolve our business from a software vendor to a full-service elections solution integrator. We now deliver turnkey modernization projects that combine software, logistics, hardware, staffing, and governance — from vote-by-mail and EMS to ePollbooks and call centers.

At the center of these deployments, I architect the entire enterprise-level engagement — designing the contractual, technical, and operational frameworks through a network of trusted hardware and logistics partners.

My role is not just to build — it’s to align legal terms, operational roles, delivery expectations, and vendor relationships into a coherent, trusted framework that election officials can rely on.

Architect of vote-by-mail-as-a-service models used in multiple Canadian jurisdictions

Orchestrator of national ePollbook and EMS implementations

Builder of end-to-end modernization frameworks across tech, logistics, and service layers

Strategic advisor to EMBs and election leadership teams coast to coast

Founder of ELSA.ai: Identity-primed AI for elections

Vision

AI's Role in Democracy

Building trusted AI that strengthens, not replaces, human judgment.

Elections are treated as a micro-sector within the public sector — often overlooked by the tech giants, yet vital to democratic stability. As a result, election officials are forced to do more with less — delivering one of the most mission-critical operations in government with limited support, funding, or modern tools.

AI, if designed responsibly, can empower these teams — not replace them — helping them retain institutional knowledge, reduce operational overhead, and build resilience for the next generation of voters.

Canada remains a global beacon of democratic integrity. ELSA is our contribution to preserving that legacy.

Support, Not Replace

AI should support — not displace — election professionals. Its job is to increase clarity, continuity, and operational speed without compromising human judgment.