MScAC Talk: A deep dive into the challenges of productionizing large language models
Thursday, March 31 | 4:00pm-5:00pm
Speaker: Stephen Zhen Gou, Founding Engineer of Cohere AI
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Cohere is a fast-growing AI startup based in Toronto, that aspires to make the most powerful NLP models accessible to developers and businesses. Large transformer-based language models have taken over NLP in the past few years because of their elegant architectures, ability to understand texts and memorize knowledge, but more importantly, because their performance scales incredibly well with model size. However, it’s prohibitive for any individual or most organizations to attempt to train or deploy these models with hundreds of billions to parameters due to the extremely high cost of infrastructure. As a result, the life cycle of these gigantic models is truly a blackbox. In this talk, Stephen will provide a lens into each critical stage of productionizing such models. From data collection, training, to inference and model safety, the talk will dive into the unique technical and organizational challenges posed by each stage in model productions.

MIE Distinguished Seminar Series with Professor Ashok Goel: “Biologically Inspired Design: Information-Processing Models and Computational Methods”
Friday, April 1, 2022 | 2:00pm-3:00pm
Speakers: Professor Ashok Goel – Georgia Institute of Technology (Intelligence Laboratory, School of Interactive Computing)
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Biologically inspired design is a promising paradigm for creative design as well as sustainable design. Nevertheless, transforming the paradigm into a repeatable and scalable design methodology remains a challenge. I will describe the main results of fifteen years of research on biologically inspired from cognitive and computational perspectives. The products of this research include both information-processing models and computational methods for design thinking, systems thinking, and analogical thinking in biologically inspired design.


Research Spotlight: Building a Technology Ecosystem for Student Success
Monday, April 18, 2022 | 12:00pm-1:00pm
Speaker: Professor Susan McCahan
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The University of Toronto is developing a suite of physical classroom space, data systems, educational technology and process facilitation software that supports student academic success.  This academic technology ecosystem is being developed through deep collaboration with students, instructors, and staff (e.g. data analysts, educational technologists, librarians, student advisors, and so on).  In this talk I will discuss the systems and tools that have been designed and deployed to date and current projects that are under development.  I will also describe a current research project that analyzes the interaction between instructors, students in a unique, technology enabled active learning space:  the Lau Auditorium located in the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Save the date – Engineering Research Days 2022: Engineering Sustainability

You’re invited to join researchers, alumni, and students from across U of T Engineering to learn about the exciting research happening within the Faculty and its impact on society. Engineering Research Days is designed to create opportunities for collaboration and networking with peers and partner organizations from industry, government, and beyond. The program will feature:

• Fireside chats with our keynote speakers
• Panels on emerging research trends 
• Student networking lunch
• Booths from Engineering Centres and Institutes
• Open networking reception

This year’s hybrid event will include both virtual and in-person programming and is open to all students, staff and faculty at U of T Engineering, as well as current and prospective partners and key stakeholders across the research ecosystem.

Career Opportunities