Computing researcher shines at Visualise Your Thesis competition

The Australian National University (ANU) 2025 Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) competition has wrapped up, with the winners announced at the September HDR Induction.

The international program, developed by the University of Melbourne, challenges graduate researchers to present their research in a 60-second PowerPoint display that anyone could understand. The results were spectacular, with contestants finding creative and engaging ways to communicate highly complex ideas.

First place went to Jessica Ramsden from the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, who will now represent ANU at the International VYT Competition with her presentation ‘How ideas about health, sustainability and ethics are driving our food system’.

Second place went to Iko-Ojo Simon, PhD candidate from the ANU School of Computing, with his presentation ‘From algorithm debt to reliability in AI’. Simon is looking at the hidden weaknesses that can undermine artificial intelligence (AI).

“Think of algorithm debt as building a perfect looking house on weak foundations and low-quality materials,” he explains. “With time, small cracks form, needing constant repairs until the house eventually collapses. Likewise, poor development practices create algorithm debt over time.”

Simon’s entry impressed the judges with its ability to distil technical research in artificial intelligence into a clear and accessible story, highlighting the risks of algorithmic flaws and the importance of building trustworthy systems.

Now in the final year of his PhD, Simon has developed a framework to map the causes, effects and prevention of algorithm debt.

“It shows that AI complexity causes algorithm debt, but training developers can reduce it,” he says.

By focusing on prevention, his research highlights a pathway towards more reliable and sustainable AI.

“Addressing algorithm debt builds AI that’s not just smart but reliable, so the technology we are using today keeps serving us tomorrow.”

Congratulations to all of this year’s participants, who showcased the depth and diversity of graduate research across the University.