Researchers across many STEM fields are struggling to answer the question of how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to build a more just and equitable society. One answer is developing an empowered STEM workforce with the innovation and imagination to develop AI solutions that protect privacy, equity and more, and mentoring is key to developing that kind of workforce.
The U.S. National Science Foundation Research Traineeship program draws on the power of mentoring to empower science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduate students to become leaders and innovators. For example, the NSF Research Traineeship program at The University of Texas at Austin, NRT-AI: Convergent, Responsible, and Ethical Artificial Intelligence Training Experience, pairs each trainee with two faculty mentors to help guide and sharpen their research topics.
Trainees like Chelsea Collier have shared that close mentoring has made all the difference:
"Academia can be a challenging environment to navigate; it has its own language, its own systems, its own power structures. So having mentorship and support … has been so meaningful."
Learn more about Ethical AI at The University of Texas at Austin.
Learn more about the Trainee Experience at The University of Texas at Austin.