For the new director of Mila, scientific discovery is the primary mission
Hugo Larochelle Takes the Helm at Mila, Quebec’s AI Institute
When Hugo Larochelle began his career in computer science, he had doubts about whether the field of artificial intelligence was the right fit for him. Working alongside influential figures like Yoshua Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton, he was involved in research that was not always highly regarded two decades ago.
His early work on artificial neural networks, inspired by human thought processes, was met with indifference as the concept was still gaining traction. Despite this initial setback, Larochelle remained committed to his passion for AI.
Fast forward to the present day, and the landscape of AI research has drastically changed. Canada’s contributions to neural networks and deep learning have laid the foundation for cutting-edge Generative AI technologies. This puts Dr. Larochelle in a prime position to lead as the newly appointed scientific director of Mila, the Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute in Montreal.
Taking over from Dr. Bengio, the Turing Award winner and founder of Mila, Dr. Larochelle brings a wealth of experience to the role. His background as a professor at the University of Montreal and his tenure at Google DeepMind have prepared him for this critical moment in Canada’s AI evolution.
With the Canadian government investing $2 billion in AI infrastructure and Prime Minister Mark Carney championing AI adoption in public services, the demand for top AI talent is on the rise. Dr. Larochelle’s decision to join Mila reflects his commitment to advancing scientific research in AI, a mission that aligns with the institute’s core values.
Mila is part of a network of national research institutes dedicated to AI, alongside the Vector Institute in Toronto and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute in Edmonton. Together, they form the backbone of Canada’s AI strategy, established in 2017.
Dr. Larochelle’s former mentor, Dr. Hinton, praises his energy and leadership skills, highlighting his ability to excel both as a researcher and manager. Larochelle’s journey from student to scientific director is a testament to his dedication to the field of AI.
As he embarks on this new role, Dr. Larochelle aims to drive AI adoption through collaboration with industry partners, support for startups, and promotion of scientific innovation. His focus on using AI for biodiversity conservation, inspired by his work at DeepMind, showcases the potential of AI for positive impact beyond traditional applications.
Despite the competitive nature of the AI industry, Dr. Larochelle believes that Mila’s emphasis on open science and academic collaboration sets it apart. By fostering a culture of scientific discovery and knowledge sharing, he hopes to attract top talent to further advance AI research.
In a rapidly evolving field like AI, Dr. Larochelle’s leadership at Mila signals a new chapter in Canada’s AI journey. With his vision for innovation and collaboration, he is poised to make significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence.
