Experience The path and resources of AI are expanding on a global scale
Artificial intelligence has the potential to drive one of the greatest social, economic and scientific transformations in history, and we need to ensure that the technology benefits as many people as possible.
An important way to do this is through access to AI education to develop the next wave of AI thinkers, researchers and leaders. It is equally important to ensure that these new generations are diverse, bringing diverse perspectives necessary to create AI solutions that meet society’s needs.
However, not every young person currently has access to AI education and resources.
Today, Google DeepMind and the Raspberry Pi Foundation are expanding access to AI program experience.
This comprehensive introductory course is designed for educators to teach 11-14 year old students basic knowledge of artificial intelligence through responsive and interactive course materials, activities and video tutorials. Created with educational experts, the material is aligned with proven learning and development practices. Now, we’re expanding the reach of the Experience AI program on a global scale, with the goal of empowering more students for an AI-enabled world.
Expanding access to meet the demand for AI education
Since its launch last year, Experience AI has reached over 200,000 students worldwide with requests for translated materials from educators in countries such as Canada, Kenya and Romania.
Initially focused on the UK and encouraging access especially from students from low socio-economic backgrounds, demand for the program inspired a £1 million investment to expand the programme’s reach, equipping more students for an AI-enabled world. This investment will help us work with regional delivery partners to adapt and translate the experience’s AI lessons and enable thousands of teachers to be trained to deliver them in their classrooms.
Google DeepMind and the Raspberry Pi Foundation are bringing together a global group of organizations at the cutting edge of the AI education movement to train local educators to teach the lessons to their students. The first phase of the expansion is underway, with letters of intent signed by:
- Asociatia Techsoup (Romania) equips local non-profits, schools, libraries and charities with modern technological resources and training to promote social change.
- Digital moment (Canada) is dedicated to empowering young changemakers with vital digital skills such as coding, data literacy and artificial intelligence through dynamic educational experiences aimed at social good. They advocate for ethical innovation and inclusive learning, giving diverse young people the tools and opportunities to shape a better future.
- TechKidz Africa (Kenya) cultivates the next generation of technology innovators with customized technology programs in robotics, coding and digital design.
Advancing our commitment to increasing diversity in AI
By expanding Experience AI globally, we also aim to further cultivate a more diverse community of AI scientists, engineers, and leaders to responsibly develop and deploy AI technologies. Increasing representation in AI allows different values to shape its design and use.
This commitment to inclusion extends to our other initiatives and partnerships, including:
- Scholarships and bursaries: We grant funding to universities to support the provision of scholarships to underrepresented students pursuing graduate studies in artificial intelligence and related fields. This includes providing financial assistance, mentorship from Google DeepMind researchers and engineers, and access to AI conferences and events to build a community of diverse AI students and researchers. Our fellowships offer postdoctoral funding and mentoring to early career researchers from underrepresented groups in AI-related fields. Along with financial support, we provide opportunities for fellows to receive mentorship from senior Google DeepMind researchers.
- AIMS AI for Science Masters: In September 2023, we supported a new pan-African master’s program ‘AI for Science’ through our partnership with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) South Africa, a one-year residential program designed to develop AI skills for scientists.
- Deep Learning Indaba: We supported this annual gathering, which brings together over 800 members of Africa’s AI community for a week of education, research and discussion on the latest AI developments, with Google DeepMind researchers volunteering to co-found the event.
Ensuring everyone has a voice
For AI to truly benefit everyone, it needs to be affected by everyone. This diversity is critical to ensuring that AI technologies are aligned with everyone’s needs and to harnessing the potential of AI to become one of the most important technologies ever invented.
As we strive to create artificial intelligence that benefits humanity, we will continue to put education at the core of our mission, inviting educators, students, enthusiasts, and everyone in between to join us.