November 2018 Summaries

Google AI emphasizes the importance of fairness in machine learning by introducing a self-study training module as part of their Machine Learning Crash Course, designed to help practitioners build more inclusive and fair AI systems. The module includes a hands-on technical exercise using tools like Facets Dive, Seaborn, and TensorFlow Estimators, aiming to identify and mitigate potential biases in AI algorithms and datasets. It features "FairAware" tasks to encourage reflection on biases that might affect model performance across different groups, promoting a balanced and responsible approach to AI development. Google AI intends for these practices to become integral to AI workflows, supporting their broader Responsible AI Practices guide, which includes resources and recommendations for ensuring fairness and inclusivity in AI.

In 2018, Google Developer Training, in partnership with Udacity, launched the Grow with Google Developer Scholarship Challenge, awarding nearly 50,000 scholarships to individuals eager to enhance their web and Android development skills. The program culminated in full Nanodegree scholarships for the top 5,000 performers, resulting in significant career transformations for participants from diverse backgrounds across the United States. Tony Boswell transitioned from a long-haul truck driver to a web developer, Kimberly McCaffery moved from homemaking to a technology apprenticeship, Charles Rowland went from unemployment to a software engineering position, Anna Scott used her skills to work on an Apache language app with her students, and Lourdes Wellington overcame a health crisis to develop a website for a charity supporting African widows and orphans. These stories highlight the profound impact of the scholarship program on their professional and personal lives, showcasing the power of education and opportunity in driving change.

In March, Google launched the "Build Actions for Your Community" event series, which concluded after hosting 432 events across 66 countries, engaging 19,400 developers with a 21% female participation rate. Organized by Google Developers Groups and other community groups, the series aimed to educate developers on Actions on Google through hands-on learning experiences, such as codelabs and activities, enabling them to design and create Actions for Google Assistant. Developers from diverse locations, including Benin City, Nigeria, and Košice, Slovakia, participated, with winners of the #IndiaBuildsActions Campaign showcasing applications like Meditation Daily and Voice Cricket. The events provided valuable feedback, highlighting the need for more codelabs, workshops, and language support in the Actions on Google platform. A significant 76% of participants expressed interest in developing new Actions, and the platform received high praise compared to others. The series encouraged developers to continue their engagement at local GDG DevFests and join the Actions on Google community for further collaboration and development opportunities, offering incentives such as Google Cloud credits and branded merchandise.

DevFest OnAir is an inaugural online conference hosted by Google Developer Groups (GDGs), scheduled for December 11th and 12th, 2018, featuring a selection of sessions from global DevFest events. This virtual gathering aims to foster community engagement, networking, and education about Google technologies, offering exclusive content alongside contributions from the DevFest community. Participants can access a variety of sessions covering topics like Android, Google Cloud Platform, Firebase, and machine learning with TensorFlow, tailored to different time zones with three global broadcasts. The event includes live Q&A forums, interactive trivia, and a special offer of one free month of learning on Qwiklabs for those who join live on December 11th. Registration is free and open to developers interested in learning more about Google products and APIs through various community activities organized by local GDGs.

Google has announced that G Suite extensions, previously available on the Chrome Web Store, will now be accessible through the G Suite Marketplace, centralizing all add-ons and web apps for G Suite users. This change aims to streamline the management of G Suite applications, offering over a thousand options to enhance productivity, manage calendars, and customize work processes within the G Suite environment. IT administrators can now manage app access and controls directly from the Admin console, allowing for easier app installation and user access management. Developers with existing apps on the Chrome Web Store have a 90-day window to migrate their apps to the G Suite Marketplace, with the assurance that ratings, reviews, and user access will remain intact during this transition.