MIT Schwarzman College of Computing Announces Breakthrough Tech AI | Massachusetts Institute of Technology News

Aiming to advance diversity and inclusion in artificial intelligence, the MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing is launching Break Through Tech, a new program to close the talent gap for women and underrepresented genders in industry AI roles. We are launching AI.

Break Through Tech AI provides skills-based training, industry-relevant portfolios, and mentoring to qualified undergraduate students in the Greater Boston area to gain a competitive edge for careers in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Masu. This free 18-month program also provides each student with a participation fee to lower barriers for students who would otherwise be unable to participate in unpaid extracurricular educational opportunities.

“Helping students from diverse backgrounds succeed in fields such as data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence is critical to the future of our society,” said Dean of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. said Daniel Huttenlocker, department chair and Henry Ellis Warren Professor of Electrical Engineering. and computer science. “We look forward to working with students from across the Boston metropolitan area to provide them with the skills and guidance to find careers in this competitive and growing industry.”

The university is collaborating with Breakthrough Tech, a national initiative launched by Cornell Tech in 2016 to increase the number of women and underrepresented groups graduating with computing degrees. Hosts and operates programs locally. In addition to Boston, the first artificial intelligence and machine learning programs will be offered in her two other metropolitan areas. One is based in New York, hosted by Cornell Tech, and the other is in Los Angeles, hosted by UCLA Samueli School of Engineering.

“Break Through Tech has successfully diversified the number of people pursuing computer science degrees and careers, transforming lives and industries,” said Judith Spitz, Executive Director of Break Through Tech. “Together with our new collaborators, we will be able to apply our impactful models to advance inclusivity and diversity in artificial intelligence.”

The new program will launch at MIT this summer with eight weeks of skill-based online courses and in-person lab experiences that teach industry-relevant tools for building real-world AI solutions. Students will learn how to analyze datasets and use several popular machine learning libraries to build, train, and implement their own ML models in a business context.

After summer courses, students gather monthly at MIT to build solutions in teams and work with industry advisors and mentors throughout the academic year to participate in machine learning challenge projects. The result is a resume portfolio. quality work. Participants will also be paired with a young professional in their field who will help them network, prepare a portfolio, practice interviews, and develop skills in the workplace.

“Leveraging strong partnerships between universities and industry, Break Through Tech AI provides students with a unique opportunity to enhance their machine learning and AI portfolios,” said MIT Schwarzman, associate dean of the College of Computing. said As Ozdagler, Dean of the Faculty. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Ozdagler will serve as his MIT Faculty Director of Break Through Tech AI. The industry project will be overseen by Ord Oliva, director of strategic industry engagement at the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.

“The University is committed to making computing inclusive and accessible to everyone. We are hosting this program at MIT for the Boston metropolitan area to increase diversity in the field of computing. We are excited to do everything we can to help,” Ozdagler added.

Break Through Tech AI is part of the MIT Schwarzman School of Computing’s focus on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in computing. The university will expand participation in computing classes and degree programs, increase the diversity of top computing faculty candidates, and ensure that the faculty search and graduate school admissions process interviews a diverse range of candidates. Our aim is to improve and create programs and activities that will help people achieve their goals.

“By working on initiatives like Break Through Tech AI, which works to improve conditions for underrepresented groups, we are making an important contribution to building a more welcoming environment where all members can innovate and grow. We are taking steps forward,” said Alana Anderson, associate dean for diversity. Equity and Inclusion at the Schwarzman College of Computing.