AI4Good

Lab

The Lab

The AI4Good Lab is a 7-week summer training program that brings together a cohort of 30 women from across Canada. The program consists of a mashup of lectures, workshops, self-directed team projects. Instructors and mentors include university researchers, graduate students, and practitioners from startups, corporates, intergovernmental organizations and city government. There's also a strong emphasis on curiosity-driven learning and mentorship both from peers and industry experts.

Partnered with CIFAR and Amii, the Lab is expanding across Canada, with our first expansion program launched in 2021 in Edmonton.

Our Curriculum

The first half of the program is an intensive, participatory machine learning bootcamp.

The curriculum is interspersed with special-topic lectures and workshops from prominent industry, academic and social good speakers. There is a focus on networking developed through social evenings with our partners and larger events such as Industry Night and the final Demo Day.

During the second half of the curriculum the participants, in small groups, develop AI for social good prototypes of their choosing. During development they are supported by TAs and have access to industry and academic mentors to enhance their creativity, problem-solving, and career development.

Our Mission

Expose under-represented individuals to mentorship, training and career opportunities in the Canadian and International AI ecosystems.

Benefit AI research and product development with the contributions and perspectives of a more diverse group of technologists, researchers, and start-up founders.

Revitalize the use of AI as a force for social good by stimulating a new generation of creative tech leaders.

History

The AI4Good Lab was founded in 2017 by Angelique Mannella and Professor Doina Precup. It's the first of its kind, focused not only on innovative approaches to teaching and learning Artificial Intelligence (AI), but also with the ambitious goal of tackling diversity and inclusions in AI research and development, and inspiring the next generation of technical leaders to develop AI as a force for social good.