Designed for small-to-medium-sized businesses, the new “Bias in AI” program aims to deliver technical skills for reducing implicit and explicit bias in Natural Language Processing & Computer Vision

February 22, 2021

This month marks the launch of a new program from the Vector Institute for small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). ‘Bias in AI: Practical examples in Natural Language Processing & Computer Vision’ is a five-week virtual program designed to give SMEs the technical skills they need to develop responsible applications of AI where bias may exclude or disadvantage population segments. The Vector Institute is receiving funding to support this program from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

Through immersive and interactive workshops, tutorials and assignments, participants develop critical skills for identifying and reducing bias in their AI models. The course culminates in a capstone presentation to instructors and stakeholders from Vector Institute and NRC IRAP representatives, strengthening their leadership in responsible AI within the AI ecosystem and beyond. Course instructor Sayyed Nezhadi — a University of Toronto and Vector researcher, AI Ph.D candidate and seasoned technology executive — is joined by accomplished teaching assistants and guest speakers, including Parinaz Sobhani, head of Machine Learning and applied research at Georgian.

“Like all of Vector’s technical education initiatives, our newest ‘Bias in AI’ program combines technically rigorous academic content with real-life business applications,” explains Shingai Manjengwa, Director of Professional Development at Vector. “As Canada’s small-to-medium-sized businesses embrace the tremendous potential of AI to transform our world, it is vital that they develop the skills to address implicit and explicit biases within AI that can generate unfair outcomes and erode trust.”

Filled to capacity in advance of its February 1 launch, the program reflects Vector’s ongoing commitment to supporting the development of high-level talent in AI, increasing industry adoption of AI, and bolstering Canada’s place as a premier hub of AI talent and research.

To explore other Vector Institute programs for industry and professionals, visit: https://vectorinstitute.ai/programs-courses/