With the aim of promoting diversity and inclusion in artificial intelligence, MIT’s Stephen A. The Schwarzman College of Computing is launching Break Through Tech AI, a new program to bridge the talent gap for women and underrepresented genders in AI positions in the industry.
Break Through Tech AI will provide skills-based training, industry-relevant portfolios and mentorship to deserving graduate students in the Greater Boston area to more competitively position them for careers in data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence. The free, 18-month program will also offer each student a stipend for participation, lowering the barrier for those usually unable to engage in an unpaid, extra-curricular educational opportunity.
Daniel Huttenlocher, dean of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and Henry Ellis Warren Professor of Electrical Engineering, says, “Helping students from diverse backgrounds to succeed in fields such as data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence is critical to the future of our society.” is.” and computer science. “We look forward to working with students in the Greater Boston area to provide them with the skills and advice to help them find careers in this competitive and growing industry.”
The college is collaborating with Break Through Tech – a national initiative launched by Cornell Tech in 2016 to increase the number of women and underrepresented groups with degrees in computing – to host and administer the program locally. for. In addition to Boston, the inaugural artificial intelligence and machine learning program will be offered in two other metropolitan areas – one hosted by Cornell Tech in New York and the other hosted by the University of California at Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Samueli School of Engineering Went.
“Tech’s success in diversifying those pursuing computer science degrees and careers has changed lives and the industry,” says Judith Spitz, executive director of Break Through Tech. “With our new partners, we can apply our impressive model to drive inclusion and diversity in artificial intelligence.”
The new program will begin this summer at MIT with an eight-week, skills-based online course and in-person lab experience that teaches industry-relevant tools for building real-world AI solutions. Students will learn how to analyze datasets and use a number of common machine learning libraries to build, train and apply their own ML models in a business context.
Following the summer course, students will be matched with machine-learning challenge projects for which they will convene monthly at MIT and work in teams to build solutions and collaborate with an industry advisor or mentor throughout the academic year , which will result in a portfolio of resume- quality work. Participants will be connected with young professionals in the field to help them build their networks, build their portfolio, practice for interviews and develop workplace skills.
“By leveraging the college’s strong partnership with industry, Break Through AI will provide students with unique opportunities that will enhance their portfolio in machine learning and AI,” said Asu Ozdaglar, deputy dean of academics and head of the department at MIT Schwarzman College of Computing it is said. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Ozdaglar, who will be the MIT faculty director of Break Through Tech AI, says: “The college is committed to making computing inclusive and accessible to all. We are thrilled to host this event at MIT for the Greater Boston area and to do what we can to help increase diversity in computing fields.
Break Through Tech is part of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing’s focus to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in AI computing. The College aims to improve and create programs and activities that broaden participation in computing classes and degree programs, increase the diversity of top faculty candidates in computing fields, and ensure that faculty search and graduate admissions processes have a diverse slate of candidates and interviews.
Alana Anderson, assistant dean for diversity, says, “By engaging in activities like Break Through Tech AI that work to improve the climate for underrepresented groups, we are taking a significant step toward creating a more welcoming environment. We are taking steps where all members can innovate and thrive.” Equity and Inclusion for Schwarzman College of Computing.
