Attracting teenage girls to explore AI

A computer science competition inspired Ishani Singh to embark on a mission to get more teenage girls exploring the field of artificial intelligence (AI).

In 2021, as a ninth-grader at High Tech High School in New Jersey, Singh entered a computer science competition and discovered a sad reality. Among the contestants, she was one of very few girls, even the only girl at the regional round. "I looked around and realized there were no other girls. It felt a little strange," Singh told ABC News.

The experience inspired Singh to found Girls Rule AI, an organization that aims to empower young girls to explore and engage in the promising field of AI. Singh, now 17, is a senior in high school and plans to study computer science in college.

“Because AI is still a field with very few women represented, girls like me can easily feel lost or discouraged,” she said. “I want to build a community where they can learn the basics of AI and always have someone to lean on when they need support.”

Since its launch nearly three years ago, Girls Rule AI has provided free AI courses and workshops to more than 200 girls in 25 states in the US and six countries around the world , including Kenya and Afghanistan.

All Girls Rule AI programs are free, because according to Singh, she doesn't do it for money, but just wants to spread knowledge and passion about AI.

Gloria Mwangi, a Girls Rule AI teacher in Kenya, believes that women working in AI can make a significant difference. “There is a significant increase in interest in technology and AI in Kenya,” she said. “I believe that AI can open up huge opportunities for young girls here.”

Female student Ishani Singh

According to Singh, the organization’s biggest success has been making AI more accessible to female students. “Initially, many girls seem hesitant to enter this field,” she said. “But by building a community, I hope to help them feel more comfortable and confident.”

However, Singh admits that there is still a lot of work to be done to spark girls' interest in AI and help them pursue careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

She stressed that expanding opportunities and creating inspiration will be key to the future of girls in these fields.

According to the American Association of University Women, women make up just 34 percent of the workforce in STEM fields, and that number is even lower in fast-growing, high-paying fields like engineering and computer science.

“We’re not where we need to be,” Singh said. “I think we need more women in tech.”

She also expressed her belief that women’s participation in AI will not only enhance the experience of technology but also bring greater value to society. “If girls and women’s interest in AI increases, they will make meaningful contributions to the AI models we are deploying. This will make the technology richer and more relevant for everyone,” Singh shared.

To fulfill her mission, Singh is actively engaging the community in this area, training additional teachers to ensure Girls Rule AI continues to operate when she heads off to college this fall.

The positive response from the community only fueled her motivation. “I’ve had people come up to me saying they want to start an AI club for girls at their school or hold programming talks,” Singh enthuses. “It’s great to see them interested and wanting to spread the word. That’s the best part—when people come together to take this further.”

Source: ABC

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