The 2024 theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” spotlights the bold dreams and aspirations of young girls, while driving home the critical need for systemic change to secure a brighter tomorrow. Data Science Nigeria celebrates the strength and resilience the girl child, thereby amplifying their voices as they share their challenges and dreams for the future.
This year, Data Science Nigeria (DSN) commemorated the International Day of the Girl Child with the theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future” by launching an inspiring outreach to inspire young girls. The DSN Ladies in AI arm of the organisation visited three secondary schools – Prudence City College, Wesley Girls Senior High, and Bank Anthony Junior Secondary School – in Lagos State to engage over 200 students in order to spark curiosity about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and open students’ eyes to the boundless career opportunities this innovative field offers.
The DSN team delivered an engaging talk on the transformative power of AI across various industries, using real-life examples to illustrate its potential in diverse career paths. They showed how computer vision can aid dermatologists in detecting skin diseases early, while NLP tools can streamline work in law and the arts by automating tasks and generating creative content. The talk sparked curiosity among students, leading to insightful questions about AI career opportunities. The team also shared their personal stories, highlighting AI’s impact in healthcare, geospatial data, and consulting, while emphasizing the importance of life skills, resilience, and representation for girls breaking into male-dominated fields like AI.
The school management was highly receptive, showing great interest in future collaborations with DSN to keep students engaged with emerging technologies. Their support underscored the value of partnerships between educational institutions and tech organizations in nurturing the next generation of innovators.
This outreach event reinforced the urgent need for greater female representation in tech. By introducing young girls to AI early on, DSN aims to empower them to pursue tech-driven careers and contribute to the growth of AI in their communities. The sessions sparked inspiration and laid the groundwork for future collaborations with the schools. As we champion the resilience of young girls, we celebrate their vision for the future—one that drives a brighter, more equitable world for all. This year’s theme isn’t just a theme; it’s a powerful movement toward a more inclusive tech industry.
At Data Science Nigeria (DSN), we are committed to boosting female representation in technology through outreach programs and workshops that spark curiosity and ambition in young girls. As we expand our partnerships with schools across Nigeria, our goal is to inspire more young women to explore careers in Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria and other emerging technologies, helping shape the future of AI in Nigeria.
For more information about the DSN Ladies in AI community, visit:https://datasciencenigeria.org/dsn-ladies-in-ai/
