Psychological Resistance to Racism: Understanding the Career Interests of Racially Minoritized Graduate Students in Artificial Intelligence

Written by Thema Monroe-White and Ebony McGee

This research explores psychosocial differences and career aspirations among under-represented racially minoritized students (URMs) in artificial intelligence (AI) and related disciplines. A national survey assessed the psychosocial attitudes, and career interests of 238 URM students pursuing graduate degrees in various AI and related fields in the United States. The study revealed a significant positive relationship between racial activism and interest in academic faculty roles (research, and post-doctoral positions) among URM graduate students in AI programmes. Conversely, race-related stress is significantly associated with entrepreneurial career aspirations (starting their own businesses, or joining a start-up) . These findings reveal the distinctive ways in which the career aspirations of URM scholars are shaped by psychosocial resistance to racism. Furthermore, in positioning AI as a field for justice and human-centric development, minority-serving institutions (MSIs) are uniquely qualified to help attract and empower a more diverse AI workforce. This study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between racial activism, race-related stress, and career aspirations among URM graduate students highlighting pathways for fostering diversity in AI.

RbC_Psychosocial Resistance to Racism_McGee and Monroe-White.pdf

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