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 objective 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 in search of a ‘Goldilocks’ function that introduced collectively every thing I beloved about these completely different environments – the pace and pleasure of a tech startup, impact-focussed targets, and the fascination of working with good researchers. It appeared unattainable to mix all these items. Then, enter stage left: DeepMind.

Through 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. Individuals from all completely different backgrounds, disciplines, and approaches discover their solution to DeepMind, and having such an open dialogue in regards to the setting I’d be a part of as a brand new worker made me really feel at residence.

What drew you to the schooling group?

I consider 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 initiatives at DeepMind, however the scholarships programme is – by far – probably the most personally rewarding programme I’ve ever been concerned in. Each educational 12 months, we get to see the brand new crop of gifted AI students develop 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 wish to have a little bit of focus time day-after-day to advance project-based or planning work, however the remainder of the time could be full of conferences, group 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 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 rather a lot too. Within the final 12 months, we’ve welcomed group members to assist launch six new partnerships and develop our schooling programmes.

What’s the most important problem your group faces?

Discovering the suitable methods for DeepMind to make a constructive influence is crucial problem. We have to guarantee that our work drives actual change within the wider group and for AI schooling extra usually. It’s a very good problem to have as a result of it’s a possibility 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 awesome week with unbelievable panel discussions with DeepMinders and trade and educational audio system.

We additionally launched our AI By You movie sequence, the place a few of our students shared their concepts and insights on what AI means to them. The sequence additionally consists of the quick cinematic movie under as a brand new approach of chatting with audiences in regards to the scholarship programme in a artistic approach. I’m so happy 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 doable with out our wonderful college companions all over the world, 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 laborious work of the students themselves.

So far, we’ve had over 335 students come via our programme. This educational 12 months, 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 energy to energy every year.

Any recommendation to college students concerned about making use of for a DeepMind Scholarship? Or a task at DeepMind?

Potential students – preserve checking our web site! The scholarship utility 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 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 at the present time. However if you happen to care in regards to the mission, and are enthusiastic about your work, go for it!