Living AI way

STEM education organisation, I-Innovate, has brought a hi-tech learning programme to Heideveld Primary, focusing on giving pupils the skills they need for a digital world.

The AI Family Challenge is a three-day initiative that taught 100 pupils between grades 4 and 7 about artificial intelligence (AI), electrical engineering and robotics. It took place this past week, from June 19-21.

The programme was brought to SA by US company Curiosity Machine and local nonprofit organisation Sakhihamva Foundation, as part of a campaign to reach 20 000 disadvantaged pupils around the world.

Under the programme, children will learn to better understand AI and how to apply it in problem areas affecting local communities, such as agriculture, food distribution, transport and energy.

I-Innovate CEO Trisha Crookes said: “The AI Family Challenge is designed to introduce students, teachers and families to the concepts of artificial intelligence and technological innovation which are creeping into every aspect of our lives, and help them understand not only what it is but how it works and how they can be a part of creating and using technology in their own lives and communities.

“With these hands-on design challenges, we make complex AI concepts accessible to children and their families. Learners create their first robots while learning the building blocks of computer science and artificial intelligence.”

Heideveld Primary principal Rosdien Desai said: “These children enjoyed themselves; normally their concentration is 25-35 minutes max. The programme went on for threeand-a-half hours and the children were captivated. Children were engaging, there was collaboration, you could see it. They were working as a team.

“It clearly fits into the vision of the school; to achieve and strive towards excellence, and excellence is what we saw here.”

The launch programme was only the beginning, and I-Innovate will continue to roll out more AI Family Challenge events over the coming six months.