Skills and Workforce Core- Ping/Watson

SKILLS & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: ABSTRACT (PROJECT DESCRIPTION) Bridge2AI’s Data Generation Projects (DGPs) will be establishing flagship AI-ready datasets. These will provide a foundation to establish new opportunities to train individuals in about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and

data-driven methods. Yet there is increasing recognition that there is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach to training researchers in this space, given its highly interdisciplinary nature. Some individuals are interested in algorithmic improvements; others are focused on the sociotechnical implications of AI; still others actively engage with inter-

disciplinary research. The heterogeneity of backgrounds and interests of individuals wanting to gain skills and knowledge in biomedical/behavioral AI requires a dynamic, thoughtful approach that maximizes the utility of the DGPs and embraces the diversity of individuals needed to ensure biomedical/behavioral AI benefits everyone.

This Skills & Workforce Development Core (SWDC) is designed to work with the DGP Training Modules and to facilitate the use of DGP products and providing myriad opportunities and venues for their understanding and use. To do so, it will be closely integrated with the other BRIDGE Coordination Center (CC) Cores. It will garner

feedback from a broad variety of end users and stakeholders as to how DGP products are perceived and can be improved. The SWDC’s mission is threefold: 1) developing educational modules and activities around DGP datasets and tools, illustrating key concepts in contemporary AI, covering both technical concepts and issues

around ethical and trustworthy AI (ETAI, with the Ethics Core); 2) implementing strategies across the DGPs to provide a dynamic way for different learners to receive a customized curricula that provides the skillset, (practical) knowledge, and experience that is desired; and 3) tackling the urgent need for more diversity in biomedical data

science through novel engagement programs that leverage the Bridge2AI products, creating opportunities for mentorship and long-term impact. This mission is realized across two specific aims: 1) to develop curricula, educational materials, and interactive sessions with the DGPs, thereby addressing skills development; and 2) to

develop training opportunities for a new, diverse, and AI-ready workforce, building infrastructure and relation- ships to enable workforce development. A series of meetings are planned to understand the DGPs datasets and tools, from which we can identify common opportunities and set priorities to develop educational modules and

plan activities, including data jamborees and hackathons (in conjunction with the Standards and Tool Optimiza- tion Cores). Building atop this library of modules and other resources, we plan to create novel methods to tailor a set of recommended courses for a learner, given their stated educational background, familiarity with AI, and

targeted use of skills. Importantly, all these developments will be informed by our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as we look to meaningfully engage underrepresented minorities and disadvantage individuals in biomedical data science, ensuring their presences and voices in its future.