Our story.

We are creating a more diverse pool of junior talent in AI.

AI4Good Lab participants

The AI Industry has a diversity problem.

Women and gender diverse people are underrepresented at all levels in the AI industry, particularly in leadership roles. The gender gap exists in the workplace, it exists in academia, and factors such as race and ethnicity add further dimensions to the distinct experiences of women and gender diverse people in the industry. You can read more in the 2021 Stanford AI Index Report and the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2021. Lack of diversity is especially critical in AI, as it is well documented that biased algorithms have the potential to perpetuate discrimination at a mass scale.

Championing gender inclusivity.

The AI4Good Lab was founded in 2017 by Dr. Doina Precup and Angelique Mannella to improve the culture in Tech by addressing the gender disparity through mentorship and education. Our program is designed for women and gender diverse people includes women, all non-binary people, transgender men, and anyone with lived-experience of misogyny. We aim to reach those who would benefit from our mission in creating opportunities for people whose genders have historically been underrepresented in the AI industry. We are committed to listening and growing as the conversation about the nuances and complexity of gender and its intersections evolves.

Diverse teams are the future of AI.

Our mission is to invite the people who are affected by AI but are not represented in its development and deployment into the room — our trainees have the potential to go on as researchers, as developers, as leaders and policy makers, so we are here to introduce them to the technical skills, pressing topics, and most importantly, the contacts that they need to succeed in the AI industry.

From our co-founders.

Doina Precup, AI4Good Lab Co-Founder

“AI is a discipline that has the potential to affect so many lives, so it is really important to have a diverse point of view in the workforce, in the research community, in teaching, so we can make sure that the technologies are developed with everyone in mind.”

Doina Precup
AI4Good Lab Co-Founder
DeepMind, McGill University, CIFAR AI Chair

“One of the things that we really wanted to do was have that connection of promising women and gender diverse people that could come together, explore their interest in AI and social good, and really take those relationships onwards.”

Angelique Mannella
AI4Good Lab Co-Founder
Amazon, AM Consulting

Angelique Mannella, AI4Good Lab Co-Founder

The 5 ways we are driving diversity.

1

Inclusivity for women and gender diverse people

2

Hands on, project-based learning.

3

Enhanced mentorship with senior experts in the industry.

4

Economic support through stipends for all trainees.

5

Instilling social good at the core of AI innovation.

Our impact.

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Alumni to date from all provinces across Canada

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AI experts supporting the 2023 program

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ML projects for social good developed over the years

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Regional programs across Canada, and growing!

What our trainees have built.

AI4Good Lab

AI.D

Datallite logo

Datallite

EthicAI

EthicAI

Newsworthyml

newsworthy.ml

SOQUO

SoQuo

What our alumni say.

Kamun Karl Itaj

“I think the Lab gave me the confidence that I could actually work in the AI industry, even though I did not study computer science. I am grateful that the AI4Good Lab helped me with creating a vision for my future.”

Kamun Karl Itaj
AI4Good Lab Alumni

Joud El Shawa

“I am thankful that my first AI experience was developing an application for social good. This will remain with me throughout my future endeavours, where I will consider the ethical implications and social good aspects of any AI applications I work on.”

Joud El-Shawa
AI4Good Lab Alumni

Aurelie Nguyen

“The Lab is one of the best opportunities I've had in my life. I learned so much not only about AI, machine learning and the industry but also about myself. The connections made and the bonds formed with the other participants will be preciously kept for a long time.” 

Aurélie Nguyen
AI4Good Lab Alumni

The Team.

Advisory board

Nabilah Chowdhury

Nabilah Chowdhury

Director, Pan-Canadian AI Strategy

Stephanie Enders

Stephanie Enders

Amii, Chief Delivery Officer

Melissa Judd

Melissa Judd

Vector Institute, Vice President, Research Operations and Academic Partnerships

Alan Macintosh

Alan MacIntosh

Real Ventures, OSMO Foundation

Angelique Mannella

Angelique Mannella

Amazon, AM Consulting, AI4Good Lab Co-Founder

Doina Precup

Dr. Doina Precup

Mila, DeepMind, McGill University, AI4Good Lab Co-Founder

Executive management

Jennifer Addison

Jennifer Addison

Mila, Program Manager at AI4Good Lab

David Harris Koblin

David Harris-Koblin

CIFAR, Program Manager, AI & Society; Program Lead, Toronto

Erika Hudon-Kaide

Erika Hudon-Kaide

Amii, Product Associate, Talent; Program Lead, Edmonton

Anna Jahn

Anna Jahn

Mila, Senior Director of Public Policy & Inclusion

Warren Johnston

Warren Johnston

Amii, Product Owner, Talent; Program Lead, Edmonton

Yosra Kazemi

Yosra Kazemi

Curriculum Manager of AI4Good Lab, Co-founder at Sunia Technology

Johanna Thumb

Johannah Thumb

Vector Institute, Manager, Student Engagement, Program Lead, Toronto

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