Mila has successfully hosted the first Indigenous Pathfinders in AI programme, culminating in the presentation of three innovative AI prototypes by 11 participants from across Canada.
The programme, delivered in partnership with Indspire, aimed to empower Inuit, Métis, and First Nations individuals with AI knowledge and tools to address critical challenges facing Indigenous communities. Participants developed projects focusing on education, food sovereignty, and healthcare.
Lynnsey Chartrand, Indigenous Projects Manager at Mila, expressed pride in the cohort's achievements: "By lowering the barriers of AI education, we hope to be paving the way for a more sustainable, compassionate and socially inclusive AI education."
The three projects presented were:
1. SAIGE: An AI-based scholarship matching tool for Indigenous youth.
2. Green CIRCLE: A platform integrating traditional agricultural knowledge with AI for crop management.
3. IndigeCare Sim: An AI tool aimed at improving long-term care for Indigenous older adults.
Savannah Sidle, a participant from Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation, highlighted the importance of diversity in AI development: "In order to build that ethical AI and to get to a good future, we need to have a diverse population working on AI systems."
The programme also fostered a unique collaborative environment. Kowen Woo, a Métis participant from Alberta, noted, "At University, you don't get a lot of opportunities to work with other Indigenous students, specifically in science."
This initiative represents a significant step towards ensuring inclusive AI development, addressing the growing need for diverse perspectives in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
Programmes like Indigenous Pathfinders in AI play a crucial role in democratising access to AI education, and empowering underrepresented communities to shape the future of technology.