Experience AI: Women TechMakers Kisii Chapter Pioneers AI Education for Young Learners

Pupils and Women TechMakers pose for a group photo after Experience AI workshop held at Kisii University Amphi Theatre Auditorium trained where 160 learners and six teachers were trained on AI and machine learning. PHOTO/Mzii Photography Kenya.
  • 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.

Teresa Abuya, a Tech Enthusiast and lecturer at Kisii University, Department of Computing Sciences explaining on AI and Machine learning. PHOTO/Mzii Photography Kenya.

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.

Faith Wanyangu, WTM lead Kisii Chapter talking Experience AI and strides made so far by Women TechMakers. PHOTO/Mzii Photography Kenya.

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.

WTM Ambassador Linah Mwakitawa talking about machine learning, classification, bias in machine learning and and AI. PHOTO/Mzii Photography Kenya.

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.

Ms Ednah Kangwana making her address during the training where she assured learners that machines and AI have not come to make humans useless, but to make work easier. PHOTO/Mzii Photography Kenya.

“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.

R-L: Teresa Abuya, Dr. Jane Maina (Dean  School of Information Science and Technology), Dr. Walter Okibo (former Kisii County Lands Executive Committee Member) and Linah Mwakitawa (ambassador, Experience AI) cut a cake after a training on AI at Kisii University organised by Women TechMakers. PHOTO/Mzii Photography Kenya.

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.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Dare to be, Kisii University Women Techmakers resolve

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.

Learners from Kisii Campus Comprehensive School and Nyamage Primary School during a Training on ‘Experience Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Kisii University. At least 160 learners were trained. PHOTO/Courtesy.
Previous articleBOOK REVIEW: Refugee Protection in Canada: For Iranian Christian Convert Claimants
Next articleHow Roosevelt Williams III Built YB&NB into a Beacon for Entrepreneurs, Uplifting Overlooked Communities

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.