Last week, 38 grade 11 students from across the UAE got a glimpse into the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and what a career in the field could be like at the first-ever purpose-built summer school at Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Masdar City.
The MBZUAI Summer School, held in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), encouraged students to develop their entrepreneurial and team skills through group-based AI and sustainability projects, culminating in them pitching ideas to a panel of experts on how AI can address specific UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The five-day pilot program exceeded capacity, receiving over 230 applications, demonstrating high interest in future learning options in STEM, particularly AI.
Participants, selected from 23 schools, gained insights into various areas of AI including film and music production, application development, generative AI (GenAI) and responsible use of AI. The workshop was led by MBZUAI’s world-class faculty, alumni, students and staff, who shared their knowledge on future skill requirements and career opportunities.
The summer school participants consist of 24 women and 14 men from three countries, including 36 from the UAE, all interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science and eager to learn about real-world applications of AI.
MBZUAI is committed to ensuring the next generation understands the role of AI in everyday life, takes responsibility and harnesses it as a tool for good. We were impressed by the overwhelming number of applicants, their level of knowledge, their creativity in solving real-world problems and their passion to ethically apply new learning.
Professor Timothy Baldwin, President of MBZUAI
AI, when used ethically and responsibly, can significantly enhance education, empowering students to develop critical thinking skills, understand complex topics and inspire creativity. Initiatives like the MBZUAI Summer School provide young people with a unique opportunity to broaden their horizons and gain a deeper understanding of a technology that will be transformative in the coming years. The programme not only immerses students in advanced AI concepts, but also enhances their entrepreneurial and teamwork capabilities. We are committed to fostering continuous learning and innovation, staying agile with evolving trends and preparing students to be tomorrow’s innovators and leaders in the digital-driven world.
Dr. Ahmed Sultan Al Shoaibi, Acting Executive Director of Higher Education, ADEK
Seven project teams presented solutions on food security, sustainable agriculture, marine life protection, empowering ethnic minorities, and mobility applications for safer roads, demonstrating the vast potential of AI to address social and sustainability challenges. The three winning teams were announced at the closing ceremony on Friday: Greenflow, a data-driven agriculture and portable smart greenhouse system; EcoEats, an AI-powered food redistribution and waste reduction system; and Guardians of the Forest, an AI-powered deforestation and biodiversity protection system.
Attending the MBZUAI Summer School was a really inspiring experience for me. Not only did I get to learn about some of the amazing technology being developed in the UAE, but I also got to meet students from other schools across the country, share ideas and have fun.
Ahmed Saeed Almarashda, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School
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