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Amsterdam's AI initiative in the spotlight

Inclusive AI

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), where groundbreaking innovations drive progress, a remarkable initiative has taken root at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). This is the Inclusive AI Initiative (IAI), a venture that stands as a beacon for diversity, ethical research, and community building within the AI realm. The Inclusive AI Initiative at UvA stands as a testament to the power of community, diversity, and ethical AI research. As it continues to grow and evolve, the initiative promises a future where inclusivity is not just a goal but a reality within the exciting world of artificial intelligence.

                   Inclusive AI’s Jazz and Dance Workshop at Kompaszaal Ballroom, November 2023

Elaborating on the Concept behind IAI


The IAI is a visionary project aimed at fostering an inclusive environment within the AI research community. Recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives, the initiative strives to amplify underrepresented voices in AI by organizing networking events, conference visits, and offering a mentorship scheme. Through the UvA Inclusive AI, the goal is to integrate individuals from traditionally underrepresented societal groups into the AI research team at UvA. 

The primary objective of the IAI is to create ethical AI, and it posits that a diverse team of AI researchers is indispensable for achieving this goal. The initiative contributes to the advancement of AI research by addressing systemic imbalances through personalized mentoring and networking opportunities. The belief is that diverse teams lead to more ethical and well-rounded AI systems.


“The initiative acknowledge that some forms of under-representation stem from systemic societal imbalances. Without making such prior assumptions for the individual, we seek to alleviate these imbalances by providing personalized mentoring where necessary”

Origin Story of the IAI: A Grassroots Movement 

The IAI had humble beginnings, initiated by a group of passionate individuals including Karen Ullrich, Elise van der Pol, Rianne van den Berg, Maxi, Daniel, and Maartje ter Hoeve. The founders, recognizing the need for change, embarked on a journey to make it happen, laying the foundation for what would become a transformative force in AI research.

The IAI’s main focus is underrepresented master AI students at UvA. The mentorship program, designed to provide guidance and support, is open to mentors from various AI focus fields, including PhDs and full professors at the university. The aim is to nurture the next generation of AI professionals with a diverse and supportive network.

 

Observations and Future Plans for IAI

IAI social drinks in September 2023

IAI programs and activities have already seen success in bringing together student mentees and mentors, fostering a sense of belonging and community. The IAI currently offer a mentorship scheme for students of the UvA AI master’s program. Each student will be assigned a mentor from the IAI programme which will be selected according to the student and mentor’s preferences when possible.The programme lasts for one academic year with an opportunity to extend, as long as the student is enrolled at UvA. The IAI envisions a future filled with vibrant events and opportunities for bonding within the diverse community. The initiative hosted a social introductory drink in September 2023, a mentorship matchmaking event, and a jazz dance workshop in November 2023, the IAI aims to establish a structured calendar of events and activities. With a commitment to listening to the community’s preferences, the initiative seeks to adapt and grow, ensuring that its members feel seen, heard, and supported in their endeavors.

Meet the current IAI Board

Fina Yilmaz Polat

Meet Fina, a passionate and determined human language technology researcher, driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore the latest advancements in the AI field. Despite facing numerous challenges, including managing responsibilities as a parent to a toddler and navigating through the global pandemic in a new country, with the support of her partner she persevered in pursuit of knowledge. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD at the Intelligent Data Engineering Lab (INDElab) under the supervision of Paul Groth. She is actively involved in the cutting-edge European project, ENEXA, which aims to develop human-centered and explainable machine-learning approaches for real-world knowledge.

Andreas Panteli 

Meet Andreas, a dedicated Digital Pathology researcher with a master’s and a current doctoral position in AI for personalised Immunotherapy. Passionate about leveraging technology for healthcare improvements, he constantly pushes boundaries in the lab. In addition, Andreas extends his impact beyond research, engaging in community outreach and facilitating social collaboration, with the aim to make a positive difference in healthcare for all.

Learn more about IAI and its mentorship program here.

Interested to attend one of the IAI events? join the IAI network here. 

The ELLIS unit Amsterdam thank Fina Polat and Andreas Pantelli for the contribution.