Life at DeepMind
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 lecturers and college students. At that time, I realised I used to be on the lookout for a ‘Goldilocks’ function that introduced collectively every part I liked about these totally different environments – the velocity and pleasure of a tech startup, impact-focussed targets, and the fascination of working with sensible researchers. It appeared not possible to mix all this stuff. 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. Individuals from all totally 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 staff?
I consider in guaranteeing that individuals 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 prospect to work on some actually particular initiatives 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 gifted AI students grow to be 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 need to pursue postgraduate research in synthetic intelligence (AI) and associated fields.
What’s your typical day like? And your staff?
My days are at all times a mixture. I wish to have a little bit of focus time every single day to advance project-based or planning work, however the remainder of the time might be filled with conferences, staff catch-ups, or chatting with college students and our companions at universities world wide. It’s tremendous various, 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 lots too. Within the final 12 months, we’ve welcomed staff members to assist launch six new partnerships and broaden our training programmes.
What’s the most important problem your staff faces?
Discovering the precise methods for DeepMind to make a constructive impression is a very powerful problem. We have to make it possible for our work drives actual change within the wider group and for AI training 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 superb mentors, college students, and alumni. It was an amazing week with unbelievable panel discussions with DeepMinders and trade and tutorial 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 beneath as a brand new means of chatting with audiences concerning the scholarship programme in a artistic means. I’m so happy with the students concerned and the superb work of our staff. Watch all six movies at deepmind.com/scholarships.
What’re your greatest learnings now that the scholarship programme is 5 years outdated?
How vital collaboration is. The Scholarships programme wouldn’t be doable 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.
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 every year.
Any recommendation to college students eager about making use of for a DeepMind Scholarship? Or a task at DeepMind?
Potential students – hold checking our web site! The scholarship utility course of and deadlines range, college by college, so our web site is the most effective place to remain up to date.
To these on the lookout for a task at DeepMind – don’t depend your self out. I typically 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 in the event you care concerning the mission, and are captivated with your work, go for it!