Monday, October 19, 2026

TD Layer 6 Visit Sparks New Research Collaborations at Waterloo

A group of attendees chat and network after the presentations
A faculty member presents his research during the TD Layer 6 visit
Three attendees chat during the networking portion of the TD Layer 6 visit
Two attendees smile while chatting at a table during the TD Layer 6 visit
Two attendees in conversation at a table during the TD Layer 6 visit
Two attendees talk over coffee during the TD Layer 6 visit
Attendees listen to a presentation during the TD Layer 6 visit
An attendee asks a question during a presentation
A speaker gestures while presenting during the TD Layer 6 visit
A speaker presents her research during the TD Layer 6 visit
Attendees listen and react during a presentation
Attendees seated around tables listen to a presentation
An attendee asks a question during a discussion at the TD Layer 6 visit
An attendee shares her thoughts during a discussion
A speaker smiles while presenting at the front of the room
A faculty member presents his research during the TD Layer 6 visit
Two attendees seated at a table listen during the TD Layer 6 visit
A speaker smiles while presenting during the TD Layer 6 visit
A group of attendees laugh together while networking
Students and researchers chat during the networking session
Attendees mingle and talk during the networking session
An attendee speaks with others during lunch and networking
Two attendees smile at a table during lunch
Students fill the room during the coffee hour with the TD Layer 6 team
A crowd of students gathers to meet the TD Layer 6 team during the coffee hour
Students line up to talk with TD Layer 6 researchers during the coffee hour

On September 28, Waterloo.AI welcomed researchers from Layer 6, TD's AI research centre. Based in Toronto and acquired by TD in 2018, Layer 6 develops machine learning and generative AI to improve TD's operations and customer experience. The day brought the Layer 6 team together with faculty, researchers, and students from across Waterloo.AI.

Hosted by Waterloo.AI Director Stephen L. Smith and Associate Director Jun Liu, the visit included a research talk from the Layer 6 team, a lunch session where faculty shared their work, and a coffee hour with students.

The visit has already turned into concrete next steps. These include new research collaborations with Waterloo faculty, an upcoming talk at Layer 6 by Elliot Creager, Assistant Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and plans for a technical seminar on tabular foundation models.

Student interest was strong. Close to 100 students signed up for the coffee hour, filling the room to meet the Layer 6 team and learn about their research and career opportunities.

Reflecting on the visit, Jesse Cresswell, Staff Research Machine Learning Scientist and lead of Layer 6's Trustworthy AI team, shared:

"Professors and students were incredibly welcoming to us. Our open exchange of ideas and sharing of research priorities has already generated new collaborations on topics ranging from tabular foundation models, to agentic systems, and algorithmic recourse. Waterloo students showed us their impressive results and drive to build systems with real-world impact, which is exactly our goal within TD."

With collaborations already underway and a seminar on the horizon, the visit marks a promising next chapter in Waterloo.AI's partnership with TD.