Yoshua Bengio to Take Over as Special Advisor and Founding Scientific Director of IVADO, Aaron Courville Appointed Interim Scientific Director

Montreal, March 25, 2025 – Since the creation of IVADO, Yoshua Bengio has played a key role, notably in the development of the R³AI vision. He will now pursue his commitment as Special Advisor and Founding Scientific Director. This role will enable him to devote more time to his research on AI security and his global AI policy initiatives. He remains involved in the mission of the IVADO consortium and will continue to sit on the Scientific Committee. He is also co-leader of Research Regroupement 10 “AI Safety and Alignment”, co-organizer of an upcoming thematic semester on Large Language Models, and a member of the IVADO International Committee.

“I would like to express my admiration and gratitude to Yoshua for his extraordinary inspiration, commitment and complicity as IVADO’s Scientific Director,” said Luc Vinet, IVADO’s Chief Executive Officer. “Under his scientific leadership, IVADO recently developed the R³AI project, arguably one of the most ambitious AI research and innovation projects in Canada. His contribution was fundamental. I am delighted that his involvement and collaboration, in a new role, will continue to be decisive knowing that he is keen to see IVADO exercise fruitful and growing leadership.”

Aaron Courville Appointed Interim Scientific Director

IVADO is pleased to announce the nomination of Aaron Courville as Interim Scientific Director of IVADO. An internationally renowned researcher in machine learning, he has already served as IVADO’s Scientific Advisor since 2022. He will ensure the transition until the appointment of a new Scientific Director, to be announced in the spring.

Call for Applications for Scientific Director

As part of this process, IVADO is inviting applications for the position of Scientific Director. The organization is looking for a visionary person, capable of mobilizing the community, embodying and bringing IVADO’s strategic ambitions to life on a local and international scale.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications before midnight on April 11, by consulting the detailed terms and conditions of the call. A selection committee, made up of five representatives from the five partner universities, three from member organizations and IVADO’s Chief Executive Officer, will evaluate the applications and make its recommendation to IVADO’s Board of Directors.

IVADO remains committed to driving innovation, strengthening links between academia and industry, and advancing artificial intelligence for the economic and social benefit of our society. The consortium warmly thanks Yoshua Bengio for his exceptional contributions and those to come. His work has enabled IVADO to excel and continue to expand its scientific leadership in Canada and internationally.

>> Consult the call for applications for the position of Scientific Director.