The pursuit of AI education

Meet Sylvia Christie, our training partnerships supervisor who’s performed a number one function in increasing our scholarship programme, which has simply celebrated its five-year anniversary.

What was your path to DeepMind?

Earlier than DeepMind, I labored for a social function startup that elevated entry to psychological healthcare. Then I received a job at a college alongside teachers and college students. At that time, I realised I used to be in search of a ‘Goldilocks’ function that introduced collectively all the things I beloved about these totally different environments – the pace and pleasure of a tech startup, impact-focussed objectives, and the fascination of working with good researchers. It appeared unattainable to mix all this stuff. Then, enter stage left: DeepMind.

Throughout the interview course of, I used to be stunned by how a lot the interviewers wished to get to know me and the way I associated to the tradition DeepMind was constructing. Individuals from all totally different backgrounds, disciplines, and approaches discover their method to DeepMind, and having such an open dialogue concerning the surroundings I’d be part of as a brand new worker made me really feel at house. 

What drew you to the training staff?

I consider in making certain that folks from all walks of life, and particularly these from underrepresented communities and backgrounds, are capable of contribute to the event of AI. I’ve had the possibility to work on some actually particular tasks at DeepMind, however the scholarships programme is – by far – essentially the most personally rewarding programme I’ve ever been concerned in. Each educational yr, we get to see the brand new crop of proficient AI students turn out to be a part of a world neighborhood of scholars and mentors. It’s an extremely particular second – and I can’t wait to see what all of them obtain sooner or later! 

How would you describe the scholarship programme in a single sentence? 

The DeepMind scholarship programme goals to take away limitations for college kids from underrepresented backgrounds who wish to pursue postgraduate research in synthetic intelligence (AI) and associated fields. 

What’s your typical day like? And your staff?

My days are all the time a mixture. I prefer to have a little bit of focus time day by day to advance project-based or planning work, however the remainder of the time will be filled with conferences, staff catch-ups, or chatting with college students and our companions at universities around the globe. It’s tremendous different, and by no means boring.

We’re a comparatively new staff, so we’ve had the chance to create our group tradition from the beginning. Personally, I discover the training partnerships staff to be considerate, respectful, and enjoyable! We’ve grown quite a bit too. Within the final yr, we’ve welcomed staff members to assist launch six new partnerships and broaden our training programmes.

What’s the largest problem your staff faces?

Discovering the correct methods for DeepMind to make a constructive affect is crucial problem. We have to ensure that our work drives actual change within the wider neighborhood and for AI training extra usually. It’s a superb problem to have as a result of it’s a chance as nicely. 

How did you rejoice the five-year anniversary?

We held a Students Summit. It’s a digital celebration of the programme, and the superb mentors, college students, and alumni. It was an ideal week with implausible panel discussions with DeepMinders and business and educational audio system. 

We additionally launched our AI By You film series, the place a few of our students shared their concepts and insights on what AI means to them. The sequence additionally consists of the brief cinematic movie beneath as a brand new means of chatting with audiences concerning the scholarship programme in a artistic means. I’m so pleased with the students concerned and the superb work of our staff. Watch all six movies at deepmind.com/scholarships.

What’re your largest learnings now that the scholarship programme is 5 years outdated? 

How necessary collaboration is. The Scholarships programme wouldn’t be potential with out our superb college companions around the globe, plus contributions from folks throughout DeepMind – together with those that initiated the programme in 2017 and the mentors who volunteer annually. And naturally, the laborious work of the students themselves. 

So far, we’ve had over 335 students come by our programme. This educational yr, we’ll be welcoming as much as 115 new students at 26 educational establishments in 13 international locations, so it’s actually thrilling to see the programme going from power to power annually. 

Any recommendation to college students keen on making use of for a DeepMind Scholarship? Or a job at DeepMind?

Potential students – preserve checking our website! The scholarship software course of and deadlines fluctuate, college by college, so our web site is the very best place to remain up to date. 

To these in search of a job at DeepMind – don’t rely your self out. I usually hear from individuals who say it feels intimidating. The imposter syndrome is actual, and it’s for me as nicely, to this present day. However if you happen to care concerning the mission, and are keen about your work, go for it!

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