Mila’s Science Communication Contest: AI Research in 3 Minutes

Group picture of all the participants of Mila Speed Science contest holding their certificate

On June 5, 2025, Mila held the grand finale of the second edition of Speed Science, its signature science communication contest, in which AI researchers took to the stage to synthesize and communicate their research to a non-scientific audience. 

Over the course of several weeks, the participants honed their skills through professional workshops and individual coaching on science communication, storytelling, and public speaking in preparation for the grand finale. Their ultimate goal was to make their research clear, engaging, and accessible for a general audience.

At the event, which followed Mila’s annual Partner Symposium, the six talented Mila researchers presented their research in three minutes to a jury and a full audience of peers and industry professionals. 

They showcased a wide range of research areas at Mila, from medical imaging and AI-assisted urban design to robotics for people with disabilities and forest monitoring to tackle climate change. 

The jury, hailing from BrainBoxAI, TELUS, Intel, Amgen and Mila, assessed the presentations based on public speaking skills, science popularization, structure of the presentation, and creativity.

This edition was made possible by the financial support of Mila partners BrainBoxAI, Telus, and Intel, who provided prizes and gifts for the winners and finalists.

Group picture of the 4 winners of Mila's scientific communication contest
Winners of Mila's Speed Science contest. From left to right: Michael Przystupa, Kusha Sareen, Amar Kumar and Rashid Mushkani

 

Discover the presentations

1st placeKusha Sareen, Master’s student at McGill University, for his presentation “Teaching AI to Check Its Own Math”

Watch on Youtube

Kusha Sareen on stage giving his presentation

 

2nd placeAmar Kumar, PhD student at McGill University for his presentation “From Algorithm to Clinic: Explainable AI for Trustworthy Diagnosis”

Watch on Youtube

Picture of Amar Kumar on stage giving his presentation

 

3rd placeRashid Mushkani, PhD Student at Université de Montréal, for his presentation “Locked Out by Design”

Watch on Youtube

Picture of Rashid Mushkani on stage giving his presentation

 

Audience Choice AwardMichael Przystupa, Research Intern at Université de Montréal, for his presentation “From Math to Mobility: Empowering People Through Smarter Control”

Watch on Youtube

Picture of Michael Przystupa on stage giving his presentation

 

Carol Altimas, Master’s student at Université de Montréal: Becoming a Tree Detective

Watch on Youtube

Picture of Carol Altimas on stage giving his presentation

 

Benno Krojer, PhD student at McGil University : From a soup of raw pixels to abstract meaning

Watch on Youtube

Picture of Benno Krojer on stage giving his presentation