Meet Sylvia Christie, our schooling partnerships supervisor who’s performed a number one position 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 teachers and college students. At that time, I realised I used to be in search of a ‘Goldilocks’ position 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.
Throughout the interview course of, I used to be shocked by how a lot the interviewers wished 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 a part of as a brand new worker made me really feel at house.
What drew you to the schooling workforce?
I imagine in guaranteeing that individuals 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 prospect 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 gifted 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 boundaries for college students from underrepresented backgrounds who wish to pursue postgraduate research in synthetic intelligence (AI) and associated fields.
What’s your typical day like? And your workforce?
My days are at all times 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 could be filled with conferences, workforce catch-ups, or chatting with college students and our companions at universities all over the world. It’s tremendous different, and by no means boring.
We’re a comparatively new workforce, so we’ve had the chance to create our group tradition from the beginning. Personally, I discover the schooling partnerships workforce to be considerate, respectful, and enjoyable! We’ve grown rather a lot too. Within the final yr, we’ve welcomed workforce members to assist launch six new partnerships and broaden our schooling programmes.
What’s the largest problem your workforce faces?
Discovering the suitable methods for DeepMind to make a optimistic influence is a very powerful problem. We have to be sure that our work drives actual change within the wider neighborhood and for AI schooling extra usually. It’s a great problem to have as a result of it’s a possibility as properly.
How did you have fun the five-year anniversary?
We held a Students Summit. It’s a digital celebration of the programme, and the wonderful mentors, college students, and alumni. It was an awesome week with incredible panel discussions with DeepMinders and trade and educational audio system.
We additionally launched our AI By You film seriesthe place a few of our students shared their concepts and insights on what AI means to them. The collection additionally consists of the quick 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 happy with the students concerned and the wonderful work of our workforce. Watch all six movies at deepmind.com/scholarships.
What’re your largest learnings now that the scholarship programme is 5 years previous?
How necessary collaboration is. The Scholarships programme wouldn’t be doable with out our wonderful college companions all over the world, plus contributions from folks throughout DeepMind – together with those that initiated the programme in 2017 and the mentors who volunteer annually. And naturally, the exhausting work of the students themselves.
Up to now, we’ve had over 335 students come by way of our programme. This educational yr, we’ll be welcoming as much as 115 new students at 26 educational establishments in 13 nations, so it’s actually thrilling to see the programme going from power to power annually.
Any recommendation to college students considering making use of for a DeepMind Scholarship? Or a task at DeepMind?
Potential students – preserve checking our website! The scholarship software course of and deadlines fluctuate, college by college, so our web site is one of the best place to remain up to date.
To these in search of a task 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 properly, to this present day. However when you care in regards to the mission, and are captivated with your work, go for it!
Author:
Date: 2022-11-07 19:00:00
