Bc. Daria Mikhaylovskaya
Artificial Intelligence in Robotics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, CTU in Prague
Daria Mikhaylovskaya is a first-year master's student in the Open Informatics program at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, CTU, where she focuses on artificial intelligence and robotics. She has also studied at Oxford and completed internships at Microsoft and Apple, gaining valuable experience in technological development. Recently, she received the prestigious Generation Google Scholarship, which further motivates her to pursue a career in IT.
What is your area of expertise at CTU, and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I work in the field of humanoid robotics, specifically on the development of artificial intelligence for humanoid robots like iCub and Pepper. What I enjoy most about my work is the opportunity to create technologies that not only solve complex problems but also have the potential to positively impact people's lives and be used in many aspects of everyday life by everyone.
What led you to science?
What led me to science? I was born in the Caucasus, where women often do not have access to education in technical fields or science in general. However, I always questioned these rules and the traditional roles of women in Caucasian families. My father worked in a technical field, and after visiting his workplace several times, I began to develop an interest in computer science and programming. I was drawn to computer science by its ability to solve everyday routine tasks and automate them.
However, I truly fell in love with robotics and artificial intelligence later when I first started working in a laboratory with humanoid robots. My experiences at Microsoft and Apple deepened my passion for computer science even further. Over time, I realized that one of my personal values is sharing knowledge with others, which led me to start teaching. Step by step, I became even more passionate about my field.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered my passion at a young age and to have been accepted into CTU FEL, where I am surrounded by inspiring people.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
Balancing work and personal life? Well, so far, it feels more like science fiction—maybe one day I'll learn how to do it. But that’s okay, for now, I enjoy my work so much that robotics is also my family! :)
Would you recommend a scientific career to high school girls? If so, why?
Would I recommend a scientific career to high school girls? Yes, absolutely. Science is a fascinating path that not only provides an opportunity to develop one's skills but also contributes to innovation and solving important problems. I would like to tell young women that even if the path sometimes seems difficult, it is worth overcoming the obstacles and pursuing their dreams.