OpenAI Scholars 2019: Applications open

OpenAI has announced that applications are now open for the second cohort of its OpenAI Scholars program. According to the OpenAI Blog, the program provides stipends and mentorship to individuals from underrepresented groups, enabling them to study deep learning full-time for three months and ultimately open-source a project. This initiative aims to broaden participation in AI research by lowering barriers for those who may not have had traditional access to such resources. For developers and solopreneurs building AI workflows, the program represents a pipeline for fresh perspectives and open-source contributions that could yield novel models, tools, or techniques. Past cohorts have produced projects that later influenced the AI community. While the specific projects from this cohort are not yet known, the emphasis on open-source ensures that any outputs will be freely available, potentially reducing development time for others. The deadline and further details are available on OpenAI's website. This kind of targeted investment in diverse talent can lead to more robust and inclusive AI systems, which is crucial as the field matures. Builders should watch for the resulting projects, as they may offer practical solutions for common workflow challenges or introduce novel approaches to deep learning tasks.