Autumn 2022

In the past decade, computers have gotten remarkably good at recognizing images, understanding what we’re saying and defeating us at games. In this issue’s cover story, we profile Ilya Sutskever, a grad who is now pushing the boundaries of what artificial intelligence can do with language. We also look at how a new medical academy at U of T Scarborough will advance racial equality in Canadian health care, and a staged crime scene at U of T Mississauga that helps teach the next generation of forensic investigators.

Featured Posts

Illustration of Black health-care workers, one wearing a face mask and another wearing a face shield

A Prescription for Equality

A new medical academy at U of T Scarborough will try to close Canada’s racial health gap Read More

Ilya Sutskever standing on a staircase with beige-coloured curved sides

Heard It Through the AI

Ilya Sutskever is building artificial intelligence that’s mastering a new skill – language Read More

A magnifying glass with a ruler in the centre is placed on top of dark thumbprints on white paper, while a blue-gloved hand holds a paper tag next to it, handwritten with a date, GE number and location

Investigating Crime, One Fake Body at a Time

U of T Mississauga’s forensic science program gives students a unique training experience Read More

In This Issue

Members of the Tsaunka Sugar Drum Group seated in a circle, performing on drums and singing.

Three Moments from Autumn 2022

In-person convocations resume, kitchen meets lab at U of T Scarborough, and a drum social celebrates Indigenous culture Read More

Coloured pencil and graphite drawing of students in a classroom, with one student having a raised hand

What Do You Like Most About Being Back on Campus?

We asked 100 students. Their top answer was not surprising Read More

Digital illustration of many hands raised, representing different racial diversities

Universities Can Bolster Democracy

How? By fostering debate across differences – and educating citizens who will engage in civic life Read More

Collage illustration of a group of students, faces blurred, books, a table with chairs, in front of blue and yellow rectangle shapes, and damaged building complexes in the back

Displaced by War

U of T has a history of helping scholars fleeing violence in their home countries. This year, many Ukrainians have found a haven here Read More

Coloured pencil drawing of imperfectly shaped vegetables in a metal shopping basket

How to Eat Sustainably on a Budget

Four tips for being kind to the planet – and your wallet – when you buy groceries Read More

Prof. Kristen Bos wearing a long-sleeved, black and white flower patterned dress and large purple clover-shaped earrings, standing in front of a field of tall shrubs, with one hand on her waist

The Costs of Extraction

Prof. Kristen Bos investigates how pollution has affected – and continues to affect – Indigenous communities Read More

Coloured pencil drawing of a student holding a piece of paper and seated in front of a green mechanical typewriter and a red rotary telephone.

Of Pies, Nuclear Plants and the Early Days of Co-op Education at U of T

Co-op started by launching grads into government – exactly as the program’s founders intended Read More

Two students wearing baseballs caps take measurements from a plant, with one student standing and working on a laptop and the other crouched over a box of plants.

What Is the Future of Urban Farming?

Researchers at U of T Scarborough are testing which crops fare best on city roofs Read More

A researcher observes data on a laptop, while an athlete wearing an oxygen mask pedals a machine with a hand-operated wheel.

From Strength to Strength

U of T’s new Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport will help athletes at all levels perform better Read More

A grassy field full of white clovers in a Toronto park, surrounded by trees and condo buildings in the distance

Cities Are Driving Evolution

Globally crowdsourced study shows that white clovers are biologically adapting to city life, demonstrating the profound impact of urbanization Read More