SPARK

The field of AI safety is incredibly small and the amount of diversity in the field is even smaller. It can be very difficult to gain mentorship and once you are in the field, there can be many roadblocks that could potentially prevent some women from going forward into the field. Currently the culture in this field is difficult to adjust to and can be unwelcoming. We need a culture shift, which will lead to more qualified people working in the field. 

Through multiple conversations and personal work in the AI safety research community, I’ve had first-hand experience with unwelcoming aspects of the culture for a diverse range of people, but specifically with women. Many overqualified women question whether they should be involved in AI safety research after having some experience in the community.

This program aims to provide women in AI safety research with in-person and remote mentorship, hands-on training, collaborative opportunities, and a supportive environment to foster their growth and engagement in this space. This program provides a research mentor, a support specialist for debugging issues that are non-technical, office space, collaboration and networking opportunities. 

The solution aims to serve women in or interested in getting involved in AI safety research, with the objective of directly and meaningfully improving their time in the existing culture of this space. The target population consists of women who are interested in or already engaged in AI safety research but face challenges due to the existing culture in the field, which can be difficult to adjust to and unwelcoming.

To understand the needs of this population, efforts are made to engage and listen to their experiences and perspectives. This includes conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather insights into the specific challenges and barriers they face. I’ve spoken with many women already working in AI safety research in order to gain firsthand insights into the experiences and challenges they face as women. 

The solution involves providing in-person and remote mentorship opportunities to women in AI safety research, connecting them with experienced professionals who can guide and support their growth in the field. Hands-on training programs are designed to equip them with essential technical skills, while fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants. The establishment of a supportive environment is a key aspect, creating a culture shift that promotes inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunities for women.

By addressing the existing challenges and providing a supportive ecosystem, the solution seeks to empower women in AI safety research to overcome barriers, build confidence, and contribute their expertise effectively. This will not only enhance their individual professional growth but also have a broader impact on the field itself. By increasing the representation of qualified women researchers, the solution will help drive innovation, diversity of perspectives, and the overall advancement of AI safety research. Ultimately, it aims to create a more inclusive and welcoming culture that attracts and retains talented individuals, leading to a stronger and more diverse AI safety community.

I am a researcher in the field and see firsthand how this space can affect women negatively. For months I have been speaking with women and working to understand the bottlenecks that prevent them from feeling like a part of the community or from even continuing as a researcher. I have faced and overcome the challenges and barriers that women in AI safety research often encounter and am a part of the AI safety community.  I believe that directly involving these women in the design and implementation process, we can ensure that their input, ideas, and agendas meaningfully guide the development of the program.

I have built out a mini-program and am testing this with a few women in a remote support capacity. 

I am not able to carry out the full in-person program unless I am able to secure some funding. I have also not had the experience of carrying out a program of this size on my own before, and so would very much benefit from leadership coaching and a peer network to ask questions to.

I am involved in the AI safety community as an independent researcher.