Students given opportunity to expand AI skills with summer internship
A group of students from less advantaged backgrounds from across the UK are taking part in a new summer internship programme at the University of Nottingham to gain knowledge and skills in Artificial Intelligence.
The School of Computer Science at the University of Nottingham is running the Google Deepmind Research Ready Scheme this summer and has selected 12 undergraduate students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds to take part in the 8 week programme.
This programme, supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering, in partnership with Google DeepMind and the Hg Foundation, is designed to equip participants with the tools and opportunities needed to progress into research and careers in AI. It is part of the University of Nottingham’s Widening Participation activities that targets students who are underrepresented in higher education.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors in technology today. It is being used everywhere to automate processes, analyse customer data, and drive efficiency - from financial services, retail, manufacturing and healthcare to agriculture, transportation, and entertainment. Most industry sectors are investing in AI, making it an attractive career choice. AI research is also moving at pace and is a driving force for innovation.
During the programme the students will collaborate with leading researchers and industry representatives to develop technical skills, and gain hands-on experience through a variety of AI research projects. The programme is designed to improve their knowledge of the different areas of AI and the possible career routes available, and build their confidence in taking the next steps in their education or career in AI.
The students will have access to all of the facilities on campus and receive support from staff and student mentors throughout the programme. Each student will choose their own project to research with a presentation and demonstration of these at the end of the internship.
Professor Ender Ozcan from the School of Computer Science is leading the internship programme, he said: “AI is an extremely fast moving area of research and industry and offers a wide range of career opportunities for students. We want to ensure all students are equipped to be successful and this programme will allow students who may not have access to additional support or networks to gain valuable knowledge that will help with their future career and hopefully they will leave feeling more confident about their future.”
Mateusz Klocek, 20, has just finished his 3rd year at the University of Nottingham and is taking part in the internship, he said: “I decided to take part to gain research experience and finding out whether I want to pursue research in the future and it seemed like a really good opportunity to get some hands-on experience outside of a typical university programme. Also, this internship is something extra outside of usual university study to show some more initiative, build my CV and get some research experience for the future. I also just find AI really interesting – so it’s a perfect “summer job” to work on this project and expand my skills.”
Bhavika Rhagupatruni, 21, has just finished her 3rd year at the University of Essex, she said: “My career aspirations long-term are to work in AI - either in the industry or in academia, I would like to be able to contribute to society and use AI particularly for healthcare and to improve human society. During this internship, I hope to learn how I can attain a career in AI, what soft and hard skills, technologies, education I will need to attain that and how to research responsibly and ethically.”