MBZUAI Summer School Inspires Future AI Practitioners With Hands-On Projects

Thirty-eight grade 11 students from the UAE explored artificial intelligence (AI) and potential careers in the field at the inaugural summer school hosted by Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Masdar City. This event, held last week, was organised in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

The MBZUAI Summer School aimed to foster entrepreneurial and teamwork skills among students through a group-based AI and sustainability project. Participants pitched their ideas to a professional panel on how AI could address selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The five-day pilot programme received over 230 applications, indicating strong interest in STEM fields, particularly AI.

Selected students from 23 schools delved into various AI areas, including film and music production, application development, generative AI (GenAI), and responsible AI use. Workshops were conducted by MBZUAI's esteemed faculty, alumni, students, and staff who shared insights on future skill requirements and job opportunities.

The summer school cohort included 24 females and 14 males from three nationalities, with 36 Emiratis among them. All participants expressed interest in pursuing undergraduate degrees in computer science and were eager to learn about real-world AI applications.

"MBZUAI is committed to ensuring that the next generation understands AI's role in everyday life, is deployed responsibly, and is used as a tool for good," said MBZUAI's Provost Professor Timothy Baldwin. "The overwhelming number of applicants combined with their level of knowledge, creativity for solving real-world problems, and passion to ethically apply their new learnings was impressive."

Impactful Projects

The seven project teams presented solutions addressing food security, sustainable agriculture, marine life protection, support for minority groups, and mobility applications for safer roads. These projects showcased the vast potential of AI in tackling societal and sustainability challenges.

Dr. Ahmed Sultan Al Shoaibi, Acting Executive Director for Higher Education at ADEK, remarked, "AI can significantly enhance education when used ethically and responsibly, empowering students to develop critical thinking skills, understand complex topics, and stimulate creativity. Initiatives like the MBZUAI Summer School provide young minds with a unique opportunity to broaden their perspective and gain a deeper understanding of the technologies that will drive transformative change in the years ahead."

Winning Teams Announced

The three winning teams were announced at the closing ceremony on Friday: Greenflow developed a data-driven farming system with portable smart greenhouses; EcoEats created an AI-powered food redistribution and waste reduction system; Guardians of the Forest designed an AI-powered deforestation prevention and biodiversity protection system.

"Taking part in the MBZUAI Summer School has been a really inspiring experience for me," said Ahmed Saeed Almarashdah from Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School. "It provided an insight into some of the incredible technologies being developed here in the UAE and enabled me to meet, share ideas, and have fun with students from other schools across the country."

This initiative highlights MBZUAI's dedication to nurturing future talent in AI while promoting ethical use of technology for societal benefit.

With inputs from WAM