Fiona Marie Bautista

What made you decide to pursue this qualification?

Interdisciplinary projects have always ignited my curiosity, as they offer a glimpse into the multitude of perspectives held by individuals from diverse specialisations. It's fascinating to witness how each of their contributions can come together to shape our society and our daily lives. While AI is currently heralded as the frontier of human innovation, I find myself most captivated by the diversity and versatility of its applications—from the macro realms of environmental science and astronomy, down to the miniature world of entomology, then into the niches of our everyday lives such as video games and media. In this light, acquiring skills in AI, for me, is akin to possessing a multi-faceted tool which can be handy for any situation; it offers a chance to not just explore the world through a variety of lenses but also to spur innovation in each new experience encountered along the route.

What made you choose the University of Auckland for study?

I first enrolled with UoA in 2023 for my Graduate Diploma in Computer Science, which proved to be an enriching academic experience! A large part of it was due to the healthy learning environment fostered by the university and the dedicated people I met along the way who have driven me to test the limits of my capabilities.

Furthermore, it was inspiring to see my lecturers and tutors alike as academics who were deeply committed to their work, demonstrating that they do not blindly chase progress but also strictly recognise the ethics surrounding their field, especially when working with state-of-the-art technology that can permeate various aspects of our lives. Having had such a holistic experience and a community whose values align with mine, I was more than encouraged to pursue further studies in UoA.

What do you like most about the Master of Artificial Intelligence programme and why?

At the onset, I found the programme structure enticing–we’ve got four core papers whose topics cut across each other since we’re viewing AI through different lenses: ethical, practical, managerial, and academic. On top of this, I can fine-tune the program to my desired specialisation–in this case, research in computer science. However, options are also available for those wanting to explore AI in engineering or those looking to apply their skills in internships.
To me, this stands to be a pretty holistic approach to AI, especially since the field is rapidly growing–and it would have been tough to follow along by solely relying on courses or certifications published online. The programme is able to supply me with the foundations while also dissecting the latest developments; I found this to be a great balance of fostering an in-depth appreciation for the various AI domains and quenching my curiosity when it came to demystifying AI technology deeply embedded into our daily lives.
But most of all, I could say that I underestimated the perks one could get when working with a seasoned teaching team who, as per the words of my adviser, have been “researching AI even before it was cool”. As someone who has a fascination for digging into how innovations were conjured, I believe the guidance and expertise provided by the teaching team add an incomparable value to the programme. Furthermore, the ensemble of dedicated people that make up MAI’s staff transforms and differentiates the experience, as apart from the knowledge they share, they have also been the most receptive, approachable, and easy-going mentors.

Where do you hope this qualification will lead you?

I’m determined to pursue research right now because I strongly feel it is best for my approach to working—I can quickly become engrossed in a niche and work through it until I feel as though I’ve established a space where I am confident enough to demonstrate my skills. And as I’ve mentioned earlier, I am fascinated by the exchange of ideas and the various perspectives brought about by multidisciplinary projects.

Have you used any of the University support groups or services?

I've taken part in a few CDES workshops primarily because I want to increase my confidence in putting myself out there. I appreciate the advice I received from them and the guest speakers they invited, as the majority of it genuinely helped me stay grounded when it came to my profession's current landscape.

Anything else that you'd like to mention about your time at University?

What I have enjoyed most about UoA is the effortlessness that comes from meeting and knowing people from whom I can learn a lot from. It is this continuous learning that drives me to develop and increase my competence as a way to pay such wisdom forward. It was also very exhilarating for me to experience the kind of support coming from the teaching staff and the university services, as it makes me feel valued as a student. Though postgraduate study is an inevitably challenging stage, these factors make it all the more worthwhile.