Applications now open for Kickstart 2022

Amplifying opportunities for women in AI

Applications are now open for Amii's Kickstart Program! Now in its second year, the program offers training and guidance to a multidisciplinary group of women and gender-diverse individuals as they pursue careers in AI. Those interested can apply by May 31, 2022.

With weekly sessions from June to August, Kickstart empowers participants to:

• Build an expansive network of peers and mentors
• Connect meaningfully with companies and leaders in AI-related fields
• Increase technical knowledge and tools needed to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in AI

Session topics include introductions to machine learning tools and concepts, types of AI careers and what they may look like in practice, and marketing oneself. Participants can also expect to take part in demos, and attend workshops and socials that grow their knowledge and professional networks.

“Through Kickstart, I received advice and made connections that have been invaluable to my career. The program gave me rare access to leaders in tech, built my skillset in a way that felt both relevant and nurturing, and gave me the chance to explore career options in a safe space,” says Noor Al-Zanoon, 2021 Participant.

According to the 2021 World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report, the Data and AI sector still lacks gender diversity, with only 32% of the total workforce identifying as women. Diversity of thought is key for ensuring AI systems don’t lead toward unintended or harmful outcomes for certain groups.

Cultivating diverse teams and companies is critical within every industry. These teams draw from a wider pool of lived experiences; this diversity of perspectives allows teams to consider projects and challenges from multiple angles and lenses. According to a 2020 report by Gartner Research, inclusive teams perform up to 30% better in high-diversity environments. By contrast, teams that lack diversity navigate with biases and blind spots that they often aren’t aware of.

Diverse perspectives are particularly critical when designing systems for public use, as AI can amplify biases and perpetuate discrimination. For example, in 2015, Amazon’s AI-based recruiting engine came under fire for showing bias against women, penalizing resumes that included the word “women’s” and ranking-lower graduates of two all-women’s colleges.

“Diversity is key to an equitable and inclusive AI-driven future, and that begins with incorporating a multitude of perspectives into the field,” says Warren Johnston, Product Owner - Talent at Amii. “Through Kickstart, we are enabling women and other underrepresented genders to become AI practitioners and connect with an active AI community - it’s about providing them with the toolkit and connections they need to have an incredible career in AI.”

Kickstart is already making a great impact in this regard, with many alums going on to find AI internships, participate in world-leading programs such as the AI4Good Lab, and gain employment opportunities in the local community of startups, traditional companies and AI labs.

Learn more about the Kickstart Program and apply now!