‘Have you considered MI5 or MI6?’ Turing Institute expert asks Bradford AI students

Artificial Intelligence expert Timipado Imomotebegha, Data Science Facilitator at the Alan Turing Institute, told University of Bradford that industry was crying out for graduates with AI and data science skills.

The human-computer interaction specialist said: "AI is moving really quickly. You can use your skills to solve real life problems. You are at Ground Zero in terms of your careers. There are so many opportunities out there, in academia, industry and government."

Her presentation included advice on applying for careers in GCHQ, MI5 and MI6.

Cyber security

Speaking afterwards, she said: "I have had such good responses, it seems there is a good understanding of AI here - my message is there is so much opportunity and that their skills are transferable to many roles."

Also speaking was Dr Stefan Helfrich from German-based Team Lead Educators Alliance for KNIME, the open-source platform built to productionise data science, with a strong user community of over 300,000 across 60 countries.

They were invited to speak to STEM students - including those studying artificial intelligence, computer science, software engineering and cyber security by Professor Ciprian Daniel Neagu, head of AI Research Group, and Turing University Network academic liaison at the University - Bradford joined the Turing University Network in 2023.

Valuable advice

Third-year Computer Science exchange student Fernando Vasconcellos said: "This was a great opportunity to gain valuable careers advice."

Professor Neagu said: "Bradford is one of the UK's leading universities for AI and data science - this lecture was about showing students the breadth of careers available to them and that the sector is hungry for graduates who are able to not only engage with, but build AI to solve problems and give companies the edge they need in the marketplace. Bradford is leading that charge, and our graduate outcomes prove it."

Career pathways

The audience included all levels of undergraduate, postgraduate taught and PhD students, and staff.

Students in the audience confirmed that the Alan Turing Institute event increased their approach and confidence in the current national job market. They shared an increased positive feeling about AI and data science jobs and more understanding of the market opportunities.

Suleman Riaz, final year Computer Science student, said: "It was a great insight on how I can apply the skills I've learnt during my time in university within interesting applications and how I shouldn't keep a tunnel vision on the private sector. The paths available to graduates in public sectors were interesting to hear about."

The event - 'The Alan Turing Institute Careers in Data Science and AI within Academia and Government' - was supported by Alan Turing Institute, the University of Bradford's Faculty of Management, Sciences and Engineering, and Career and Employability Services of the Directorate of Student Experience and Teaching Excellence.

Linksprovided by the Alan Turing Institute

The Alan Turing Institute Myth busting Data Science and AI careers videos: Spotlight series on data science and AI careers

MI5, MI6 & GCHQ-Early Careers Network - Recruitment Services

UK Defence organisations career webpages:

GCHQ Careers

MoD Civil Service Careers

Careers | MI5 - The Security Service

Careers | SIS (MI6)

Working for Cabinet Office - Cabinet Office

Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre

Working for Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

MI5 video Lily

Government careers advice

Graduate Programmes:

• The Civil Service fast stream, UK Government

• NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme (Health Informatics)

Internship programmes:

• Health Data Science Black Internship Programme

• Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme

• Civil service fast stream internships

Direct routes into the organisation:

• The Alan Turing Institute

• Civil Service Jobs portal

• Central NHS England or NHS Trusts (visit each Trust website separately)

For more information, email [email protected]