Firm
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 acquired a job at a college alongside lecturers and college students. At that time, I realised I used to be in search of a ‘Goldilocks’ function that introduced collectively the whole lot I liked about these completely different environments – the velocity and pleasure of a tech startup, impact-focussed targets, and the fascination of working with good researchers. It appeared inconceivable 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 completely different backgrounds, disciplines, and approaches discover their solution to DeepMind, and having such an open dialogue concerning the surroundings I’d be a part of as a brand new worker made me really feel at residence.
What drew you to the training group?
I imagine in making certain 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 tutorial 12 months, we get to see the brand new crop of proficient AI students change into 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!
Picture: Maximilian Kindersley
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 need to pursue postgraduate research in synthetic intelligence (AI) and associated fields.
What’s your typical day like? And your group?
My days are at all times a mixture. I prefer to have a little bit of focus time day-after-day to advance project-based or planning work, however the remainder of the time will be filled with conferences, group catch-ups, or talking to college students and our companions at universities world wide. It’s tremendous assorted, 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 training 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 training programmes.
What’s the most important problem your group faces?
Discovering the appropriate methods for DeepMind to make a optimistic influence is an important problem. We have to be sure that our work drives actual change within the wider neighborhood and for AI training extra usually. It’s an excellent problem to have as a result of it’s a chance as properly.
How did you rejoice 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 amazing week with unbelievable panel discussions with DeepMinders and business and tutorial audio system.
We additionally launched our AI By You movie collection, the place a few of our students shared their concepts and insights on what AI means to them. The collection additionally consists of the brief cinematic movie beneath as a brand new approach of talking to audiences concerning the scholarship programme in a inventive approach. I’m so pleased with the students concerned and the wonderful work of our group. Watch all six movies at deepmind.com/scholarships.
What’re your largest learnings now that the scholarship programme is 5 years previous?
How vital collaboration is. The Scholarships programme wouldn’t be potential with out our wonderful college companions world wide, plus contributions from individuals 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.
Thus far, we’ve had over 335 students come by our programme. This tutorial 12 months, we’ll be welcoming as much as 115 new students at 26 tutorial establishments in 13 international locations, so it’s actually thrilling to see the programme going from energy to energy annually.
Any recommendation to college students interested by making use of for a DeepMind Scholarship? Or a job at DeepMind?
Potential students – preserve checking our web site! The scholarship software course of and deadlines range, college by college, so our web site is the perfect 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 properly, to this present day. However when you care concerning the mission, and are keen about your work, go for it!
