RASHID MUSHKANI
AI & Urban Studies PhD Candidate
University of Montreal I Mila - Quebec AI Institute
Work

2024-11-20
Knowledge in Intersectoral Research

2023-05-30
Thesis Project: Street Review & Wedesign
Publications
Bio
I’m Rashid. I research urban planning and artificial intelligence through participatory design.
My work explores inclusive public space, socio-spatial justice, and pluralistic AI alignment, advocating a "Right to AI" grounded in power, inclusion, and community participation.
I hold a Master of Engineering from Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan, where I studied socio-spatial equity in urban parks. Professionally, I've collaborated with the Aga Khan Development Network and taught foundational design and environmental design courses at Kabul University.
Currently, I’m a PhD candidate at the University of Montreal, leading projects like Street Review and Artificial Intelligence Alignment for Inclusion (AIAI).
I collaborate with academics, professionals, policymakers, and communities on AI ethics and spatial justice.
Email me for questions, collaboration opportunities, or anything else.

Timeline
- 2022-Today: PhD Candidate, University of Montreal I Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute
- 2023-Today: Researcher, Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute
- 2022-Today: Researcher, UNESCO Chair in Urban Landscape
- 2019-2022: Researcher, International Urban Planning Lab
- 2017-2022: Assistant Lecturer, Kabul University
- 2016-2019: Architect, Chihilsitoon Garden - Aga Khan Development Network
Education
- 2022-Today: Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Planning, University of Montreal
- 2019-2021: Master of Engineering in Architecture and Urban Planning, Toyohashi University of Technology
- 2012-2016: Bachelor of Architecture, Kabul University
Honors & Awards
- 2025: Bourses en intelligence artificielle des Études supérieures et postdoctorales (ESP), University of Montreal
- 2024: FRQSC Doctoral Training Award, Fonds de recherche du Québec – Society and Culture
- 2024: Mitacs Accelerate Award, Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute
- 2024: Guy-Desbarats Excellence Scholarship, University of Montreal
- 2024: Student Engagement Award, University of Montreal
- 2023: Perseverance Award, University of Montreal
- 2022: Welcome Award, University of Montreal
- 2022: TUT-DC Fellowship, Toyohashi University of Technology
- 2019: JICA Scholar, Japan International Cooperation Agency
- 2018: Appreciation Award, Kabul University
- 2016: Best Student Award, Kabul University
Talks
- 2025: "Right to AI" – AI & Cities track at the AMLD – Applied Machine Learning Days, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland. Details
- 2025: "The Right to AI: Rethinking Participatory Approaches in AI" – Participatory AI Research & Practice Symposium, SciencesPo, Paris, France. Details
- 2024: "Using AI to Design Inclusive Public Spaces" – Innovate for Cities 2024 in Montreal, Canada. Details
- 2024: "MID-Space: Aligning Diverse Communities' Needs to Inclusive Public Spaces" – Contributed Talk at the Pluralistic Alignment Workshop at NeurIPS, Vancouver, Canada. Details
- 2023: "Benchmarking Inclusion in Public Space: A Place—and Space—Based Assessment Method" – Spatial Justice in Practice Symposium – Benchmarking Spatial Justice in Policymaking, Planning & Design, TU Delft, Netherlands. Details
- 2021: "Power and Political System in a Century of Urbanization" – Asian Studies Online Consortium: Challenge and Harmony in Asia, Kyushu University, University in Fukuoka, Japan (Online). Details
- 2020: "Spatial Equity and Accessibility of Public Parks in Kabul City, Afghanistan" – 16th Conference of Asian and African City Planning (Online). Details
- 2019: "A Social Study of Public Space" – The 15th Conference of International Development and Urban Planning, Tokyo City University, Tokyo, Japan.
- 2018: "Urban Fabric of Kabul Old City" – Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.
- 2016: "Heritage and Public Space in Kabul" – Aga Khan Development Network, Dehli, India.
- 2016: "Urban Fabric of Kabul" – Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan.