The pursuit of AI education
Meet Sylvia Christie, our schooling 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 bought a job at a college alongside lecturers and college students. At that time, I realised I used to be searching for a ‘Goldilocks’ function that introduced collectively all the pieces I cherished about these totally different environments – the velocity and pleasure of a tech startup, impact-focussed objectives, and the fascination of working with good researchers. It appeared inconceivable to mix all these items. Then, enter stage left: DeepMind.
In the course of the interview course of, I used to be stunned by how a lot the interviewers needed to get to know me and the way I associated to the tradition DeepMind was constructing. Folks from all totally different backgrounds, disciplines, and approaches discover their method to DeepMind, and having such an open dialogue in regards to the atmosphere I’d be part of as a brand new worker made me really feel at dwelling.
What drew you to the schooling group?
I imagine in guaranteeing that folks from all walks of life, and particularly these from underrepresented communities and backgrounds, are in a position to 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 – probably the most personally rewarding programme I’ve ever been concerned in. Each tutorial 12 months, we get to see the brand new crop of proficient AI students change into a part of a world group 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 obstacles 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 group?
My days are all the time a combination. I prefer to have a little bit of focus time daily to advance project-based or planning work, however the remainder of the time might be full of conferences, group catch-ups, or chatting with college students and our companions at universities world wide. It’s tremendous diversified, and by no means boring.
We’re a comparatively new group, so we’ve had the chance to create our group tradition from the beginning. Personally, I discover the schooling partnerships group to be considerate, respectful, and enjoyable! We’ve grown lots too. Within the final 12 months, we’ve welcomed group members to assist launch six new partnerships and increase our schooling programmes.
What’s the most important problem your group faces?
Discovering the suitable methods for DeepMind to make a constructive impression is an important problem. We have to ensure that our work drives actual change within the wider group and for AI schooling extra typically. It’s a great 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 a fantastic week with incredible panel discussions with DeepMinders and trade and tutorial 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 collection additionally contains the brief cinematic movie beneath as a brand new manner of chatting with audiences in regards to the scholarship programme in a artistic manner. I’m so pleased with the students concerned and the superb work of our group. Watch all six movies at deepmind.com/scholarships.
What’re your greatest learnings now that the scholarship programme is 5 years previous?
How essential collaboration is. The Scholarships programme wouldn’t be potential with out our superb college companions world wide, plus contributions from individuals throughout DeepMind – together with those that initiated the programme in 2017 and the mentors who volunteer every year. And naturally, the arduous work of the students themselves.
Up to now, we’ve had over 335 students come via our programme. This tutorial 12 months, we’ll be welcoming as much as 115 new students at 26 tutorial establishments in 13 nations, so it’s actually thrilling to see the programme going from energy to energy every year.
Any recommendation to college students all for making use of for a DeepMind Scholarship? Or a job at DeepMind?
Potential students – hold checking our website! The scholarship utility course of and deadlines range, college by college, so our web site is the perfect place to remain up to date.
To these searching for a job at DeepMind – don’t depend 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 at the present time. However in the event you care in regards to the mission, and are obsessed with your work, go for it!
