Organizations That Are Changing the Face of AI

April 26, 2021 Off By Rowena Cletus

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the CIFAR-OSMO AI4Good Lab has revealed a list of organizations advancing diversity and inclusion in AI. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool that has the potential to promote social progress, but effective representation in the workforce is crucial in order to achieve this.

By partnering with OSMO and CIFAR, the AI4Good Lab lowers barriers for women who need critical education and peer-support. “These partners are having a direct impact on society by granting women across Canada opportunities to gain valuable insights and experience in our business-driven AI community” says Maya Marcus-Sells, Executive Director of the AI4Good Lab.

In order to promote women’s participation in the program, the Lab’s partners provide them with a broad network of role models and collaborators. Throughout the 7-week program, 60 women from across Canada will be supported through mentorship, teaching, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities.

“The program will facilitate the training and mentorship of women who identify as undergraduate students in Canada, so they can develop technical and career skills in artificial intelligence,” said Elissa Strome, Executive Director of the CIFAR Pan-Canadian AI Strategy

The Lab will run its fifth consecutive year with the financial support of the 2021 partners. A national program is launched with the Edmonton cohort, hosted by CIFAR in partnership with Amii and the Canadian Institute for Artificial Intelligence, as part of its pan-Canadian AI strategy.

Through its expansion across Canada, the Lab is helping make AI more accessible for under represented individuals across the country. Amii is pleased to lend its support to the national expansion of the CIFAR-OSMO AI4Good Lab to Alberta.

The introduction of artificial intelligence to the business environment continues to deliver transformative results, so we are keenly aware of the need to broaden the diversity of perspectives contributing to machine learning advancements.