AI Education: An Economic Imperative

Introductory Programs for Women & BIPOC Youth (ages 18-24+)

AWS Global AI Challenge – Why Not Change The World!

• Use AI/ML as a meaningful tool for improving people’s lives and solving some of society’s biggest challenges – addressing the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
• Put artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the hands of women, underrepresented highered students and entrepreneurs.
• Help beginner-level female, BIPOC students and entrepreneurs find career training, mentorship, leadership development, networking opportunities, employment and funding in a tech industry that is predominantly male and white.
• Explore how companies and governments can collaborate with educators to prepare students for the #FutureOfWork and #Entrepreneurship.
• Increase youth civic participation and advance more inclusive education and economic policies for women and BIPOC youth.
• In rapid response to COVID-19, fuel progress in the area of economic opportunity and cloud education for global women and BIPOC youth, leveraging AWS.

2022 Schedule/Curriculum

Plan to spend 20+ hours using these lessons and working with your team to complete your project.

Designed to accommodate multiple time zones:

Online Training:

• Saturdays March 19 – Apr 9, 10:00am – 2:55pm ET | 3:00pm – 7:55pm WAT

Team Build Sessions:

• Saturdays Apr 16 – May 7, 10:00am – 11:55am ET |  3:00pm – 4:55pm WAT
• You will have these 4 weeks to work with your team/mentor to complete and submit your projects.

Office Hours:

• Saturdays Apr 16 – May 7, 12:00pm -1:55pm ET | 5:00pm – 6:55pm WAT

Final Project Submissions Due:

• Saturday Apr 30, 3:00pm ET | 8:00pm WAT – Code Freeze + Submit to the Alexa Skill Store
• Saturday May 7, 3:00pm ET | 8:00pm WAT – Video Fast-Pitch Demo

Labels: Required, Recommended, or Optional  

Getting Started – Welcome!

Interaction Model Deep-Dive!

WEEK 3 – Saturday 4/2/22

Teams & Mentors Assigned

WEEK 4 – Saturday 4/9/22

Application Logic & Publishing Your Skill

Let’s Build!

Project Build Continued

Project Build Continued

Project Build Continued

• Saturday Apr 30, 3:00pm ET | 8:00pm WAT – Code Freeze + Submit to the Alexa Skill Store
• Saturday May 7, 3:00pm ET | 8:00pm WAT – Video Fast-Pitch Demo

AWS DEMO DAY – Finale Event     
The Global AI Challenge “Finale Event” showcases youth technology solutions to global problems, leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS). $20,500 (USD) in scholarships toward AWS training & exam certification will be awarded to winning teams! Nine top project teams will be selected to deliver their fast-pitch demos at the Virtual AWS Demo Day, competing for the chance to win scholarships toward AWS training & certification exams (prizes must be used within 6 months of award).

• Saturday May 14, 10:30am – 1:30pm ET |  3:30pm – 6:30pm WAT

2021 Impact Highlights – Amazon Alexa Skills Challenge

(In partnership with Amazon Web Services and We Connect The Dots, Inc.)

2019 Impact Highlights – AWS Chatbot Challenge

(In partnership with Amazon Web Services and WomenOfAI.org)

• What technology can do for governments and our communities
• How employers, educators and governments can work together to ensure high school and college students receive a quality, affordable education and are prepared for digital transformation in the workplace

27 colleges and universities

Geography: Southern California and Mexico — we are making a cross-border impact!

Education level: High school grads, Associates and Baccalaureate degrees

AWS experience level: 96% Beginner/4% Intermediate

Mentors, Judges, Volunteers: 22 (local IT and tech professionals)