Manuka Stratta
Manuka is a great example of how students with a background in STEM can gain helpful experiences from our program. With STEM students in mind, we are excited to announce a new Innovation Fellowship designed to serve STEM students with support from the Richard Lounsbery Foundation! Similar to our At-Large program, U.S. students from institutions across the country are welcome to apply. The application opens June 3rd, and closes August 2nd. You can learn more about the program here.
Please enjoy reading Manuka’s profile!
What are you doing now?
I graduated with a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. I worked on perception systems for autonomous vehicle development which enable self-driving cars to perceive the world. Currently, I work in software engineering and machine learning at OpenAI on the ChatGPT team, focusing on leveraging data, enhancing model personalization, and ensuring user privacy.
How has the CSPC Fellowship impacted your career?
As part of the fellowship, I explored how the U.S. can develop an effective strategy to deploy performant and secure 5G networks at scale. This experience broadened my understanding of the challenges associated with deploying technology safely and responsibly, ensuring it benefits all of society. It also highlighted the critical role of the U.S. diplomatic agenda in leading other democratic nations toward similar technological advancements. These insights are extremely relevant to the field of AI that I now work in, where deploying transformative AI models safely and in alignment with human values is paramount. My experience with the fellowship has inspired me to tackle significant technical problems that have both national and international implications, emphasizing safe and secure deployment with supportive legislation.
What is your favorite memory of the Fellowship?
My favorite memory from the fellowship was the three-day conference in Washington D.C. which featured fascinating discussions on domestic and foreign policy issues, such as democracy in the digital age and leadership during times of crisis. My highlight was the chance to connect with other fellow scholars and leaders during a reception on a beautiful rooftop overlooking the Capitol. These experiences left me with invaluable domestic and foreign policy insights and wonderful memories.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
Looking ahead, I can see myself moving into a role where I could advise on critical technological policies at both national and international levels. The dream job would be serving as the Chief Technology Officer of the United States, leveraging technology to create jobs, enhance privacy protections, and both harness the benefits and mitigate the risks of artificial intelligence. It would be incredibly meaningful to use my technical expertise to broadly benefit society.