My Strides, Staying Relevant and Giving Back to the Next Generation

Amina Sambo – Magaji, PhD

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amina-sambo-magaji-15402253/

The field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown exponentially in the past few years, and with that growth comes new opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities. As someone who has navigated the rigorous journey of earning a PhD in AI since 2015, I’ve experienced firsthand the rewards and the obstacles that come with pursuing cutting-edge research in this rapidly evolving field.

In this post, I want to share the key aspects of my journey to the top, how I’ve stayed relevant in AI, and why I believe it’s crucial to give back to the next generation of AI researchers and innovators. If you’re considering a PhD in AI or are already deep into your research, I hope my experiences and insights will offer guidance, inspiration, and practical advice to help you succeed.

1. The Power of Research: Pursuing Excellence and Innovation

The heart of any PhD program, especially in a field like AI, is research. Pursuing a PhD in AI means diving deep into complex problems, working on innovative solutions, and often pushing the boundaries of what we know about artificial intelligence. For me, it wasn’t just about contributing to existing knowledge—it was about creating new pathways, challenging assumptions, and finding ways to make AI more efficient, ethical, and impactful.

The research process can be both exciting and frustrating. There are countless hours spent exploring datasets, experimenting with algorithms, and refining models. There are setbacks and moments when nothing seems to work—but each failure provides an opportunity to learn and adapt. For those of you in the trenches of research right now, don’t be discouraged by the tough moments. The true breakthroughs come from persistence, experimentation, and learning from failure.

In my PhD journey, I learned that research isn’t just about solving a specific problem—it’s about identifying the broader applications of your work. From machine learning and natural language processing to AI ethics and explainable AI, these areas of research are the building blocks for shaping the future of AI.

2. Staying Relevant in a Fast-Paced Field

One of the most significant challenges in the world of AI is how quickly the field evolves. What you research today may not be the most cutting-edge tomorrow. That’s why staying relevant is an ongoing process that requires dedication to learning and adaptation.

For me, staying relevant has involved several strategies:

• Continuous Learning: I make it a point to stay up to date by reading papers, attending conferences, and engaging in discussions with fellow researchers. Networking with other AI experts, both in academia and industry, is crucial for keeping up with emerging trends.
• Revelvant and applicable research: For the past 10 months, I have been researching into integrating AI for teaching, learning and research. I bring my my years of experience inresearch, innovation and policy to fore.
• Collaborations: Cross-disciplinary collaborations often lead to breakthroughs that I wouldn’t have reached on my own.
• Practical Application: Research is important, but it’s just as vital to ensure that the work we do in the lab can translate to real-world applications. Engaging with startups and working on AI solutions, and connecting with tech companies like Amazon or Google has helped me understand how AI is used to solve real life problems.

3. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Building Confidence

As a PhD student in AI, it’s easy to feel like an imposter—especially being a black muslim woman from Africa. One of the ways to combat imposter syndrome was by recognizing that everyone starts somewhere. Even the experts were once novices. I learned to celebrate my progress, no matter how small, and to remind myself that I brought something valuable to the table. Confidence isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about believing in your ability to solve problems, contribute to the conversation, and make a real impact.

4. Giving Back to the Next Generation of AI Researchers

As I’ve risen in my career, I’ve realized that one of the most rewarding aspects of my work isn’t just the research or the recognition—it’s giving back to the next generation of tech researchers, innovators and other ecosystem builders. For me, this means mentoring students, sharing my experiences, and offering guidance to those just beginning their tech/AI journey.

• Mentorship: Through my career portfolios and my foundation, sheandtech Empowerment  hub, I’ve had the privilege of helping guide aspiring AI researchers, tech innovators, girls& women offering advice and providing support in navigating the careers, entrepreneruship and STEM careers. www.sheandtech.com
• Promoting Diversity in AI: One of my goals has been to foster diversity within the Tech/AI community. AI has often been seen as a field dominated by a certain group, but I believe that the diversity of thought and experience makes AI more innovative and impactful. I advocate for more women, people of color, and underrepresented groups in AI, not just as a matter of fairness, but because their perspectives will lead to better, more equitable technology.

5. The Importance of Ethical AI and Social Impact

As AI continues to evolve, its impact on society grows. With this power comes responsibility. Throughout my PhD, I have become increasingly passionate about the need for ethical AI development. Whether it’s ensuring that algorithms don’t perpetuate bias or advocating for transparency in AI decision-making, it’s crucial that AI developers prioritize the social implications of their work.

Ethical AI is an area I’m particularly passionate about, and I’ve worked on projects that aim to ensure AI technologies are used for good. As we develop AI that can make life-changing decisions, we must ensure it’s built with fairness, accountability, and transparency in mind. For the next generation of AI researchers, I hope to inspire them to not only develop innovative technologies but to also consider the ethical and societal impact of their work.

6. The Future of AI

As AI continues to shape the future, the next generation of researchers will have the opportunity to not only push the boundaries of technology but also to drive change in how AI is developed and deployed. I strongly encourage the next wave of AI PhDs to stay curious, stay passionate, and stay ethical.

If you’re just starting your journey or are deep into your research, know that the road ahead is filled with challenges—but also immense opportunities. Embrace those challenges, stay committed to your vision, and remember that your work has the potential to change the world.

Conclusion

Rising to the top as an AI PhD is a journey of continuous learning, self-discovery, and dedication. But the ultimate reward is not just personal success, it’s about contributing to the greater good, ensuring that AI is developed responsibly, and mentoring the next generation of innovators. I am excited to see what the future holds, and I hope that, through my work and mentorship, I can inspire others to pursue their own passions in AI and leave a positive impact on the world. Never Stop Learning, Giving Back, and Innovating

What excites you most about AI research/ developemtn? How do you stay motivated through the challenges of a PhD program or building an AI startup? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—let’s continue the conversation!