
- The Kisii workshop focused on training boys and girls from the two primary schools neighbouring the university to empower them with tech skills at a tender age of between 11-14 years as the world is fast evolving technologically.
- The children were trained on social media, gaming, voice assistants, Netflix, Spotify, Snapchat filters, online shopping and schoolwork among other topics.
- Technology is like a double-edged sword; it can enable people to do their work quickly, easily and can also disrupt peoples’ lives if it is misused.
At least 160 pupils and six teachers from Kisii Campus Comprehensive School and Nyamage Primary are all smiles after undergoing an all-important training on Artificial Intelligence (AI) dubbed ‘Experience AI’ sponsored by Women TechMakers (WTM) Kisii Chapter.
Led by Faith Wanyangu and Lina Mwakitawa jointly with Kisii University’s Teresa Abuya, Lecturer in the Department of Computing Sciences and Tech enthusiast, the Women TechMakers have set the bar high in a bid to raise tech-savvy children, well equipped with modern skills to solve challenges affecting the modern world.
The Women TechMakers, noted Abuya, is a Google supported programme whose members are passionate about technology, gender equity in technology and building anything with Google. They are impactful mentors and leaders passionate about empowering their communities.

The Kisii workshop focused on training boys and girls from the two primary schools neighbouring the university to empower them with tech skills at a tender age of between 11-14 years as the world is fast evolving technologically.
Abuya said during the training themed ‘Discover AI with Women TechMakers: Shaping the Future Together‘ that the learners were sensitised on the AI, Machine Learning and digital skills used to get maximum benefits.
“Learning digital skills will help you succeed in school and in future. It is important to know how to use computers, navigate the internet, coding, online safety, AI and how it works,” Abuya said.
“Technology, will not replace humanity. Embracing machine learning and AI and digital skills, gaining hands-on experience and harnessing the power of AI, one becomes part of a future where technology is driven by diverse voices and making innovation accessible to everybody, she added.

At the same time, Faith Wanyangu, WTM Kisii Chapter lead, noted that this was the 3rd time WTM was offering training in Kisii County.
The first training focused on Women in Technology dubbed “Dare to Be” and the 2nd training was on youths to embrace technology in their day-to-day activities, while the recent training focused on pupils between 11-14 years to encourage them embrace emerging technologies at a tender age.
The children were trained on social media, gaming, voice assistants, Netflix, Spotify, Snapchat filters, online shopping and schoolwork among other topics.
Linah Mwakitawa, who is the lead ambassador, Experience AI, Kisii Chapter, trained the pupils and teachers on basics in Machine learning and AI and urged teachers, friends and parents to support the children with gadgets to exploit their potential in the field.

On her part, Blonche Akungu emphasised on the use of AI to solve problems, for instance, development of AI chatbots, AI privacy and responsibility. She said technology is like a double-edged sword; it can enable people to do their work quickly, easily and can also disrupt peoples’ lives if it is misused.
Consequently, former Kisii County Executive Member Ednah Kangwana noted that if there is anything that has disrupted our current lives, then it is technology.
She told the learners they can embrace technology and advance in it as a career like in programming emphasising that technology will not replace humanity but will ease how things are done.

“Machines cannot do all the work. The Human part of us will remain. Do not panic that machines will take your work. As we advance in technology, let us embrace special abilities God gave us,” Kangwana noted.
Dr. Jane Maina Cherono, Dean School of Information Science and Technology, said that technology is evolving fast, noting that it was important for the children to be inducted at a tender age so that they can pick the interest and advance their studies to a higher level.
“You are lucky that you are being trained on AI. I challenge you to use it responsibly,” Dr. Maina told the learners.

Former Kisii county Lands Executive Committee Member, Dr. Walter Okibo appealed to Women TechMakers to also involve the boy-child, whom, he noted, has been neglected at the expense of the girl-child.
He noted that much emphasis has been placed on the girl-child, adding, it was necessary to embrace the boy-child to enhance a balance lest the latter will be endangered.
The Chairperson of the Department of Computing Sciences Dr. Ruth Chweya encouraged learners to embrace AI at an early stage revealing to them that she touched a computer for first time while at the University. She noted that machines help people with solutions to ease their work.
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Teresa, who graced the awarding of certificates to the teachers, trainers and pupils urged them to respect themselves, others and take responsibility for their actions.
She lauded the teachers of Kisii Comprehensive School and Nyamage Primary for availing the pupils for the training, noting, it will continue to ensure that many pupils are trained on AI to embrace and advance in it.

Good work to organizers
Children will get know learn first and to implement