ICAIRE And Microsoft Unveil Second Cohort Of Elevate Initiative To Empower 5,000 Women In AI Training

The International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh has unveiled the second cohort of its Elevate Initiative. This program, in collaboration with Microsoft and backed by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), aims to train 5,000 women globally. This follows the success of the first cohort, which trained 1,000 women. The initiative is part of ICAIRE's broader goal to empower 25,000 women worldwide in artificial intelligence (AI).

Dr. Abdulrahman Habib, ICAIRE's acting Managing Director, announced this during a session at UNESCO's Global Forum on AI Ethics in Bangkok. He highlighted ICAIRE's efforts in advancing AI ethics research and fostering international dialogue on responsible AI use. Dr. Habib emphasized inclusiveness as vital for expanding intellectual and innovative horizons in AI research.

The Elevate Initiative offers comprehensive AI training that focuses on ethics and best practices globally. It includes interactive courses, workshops, and mentoring sessions led by certified trainers. Participants engage in 26 hours of training over six weeks. Upon completion, they receive a certificate of attendance and a scholarship for the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals exam.

Dr. Habib stressed the importance of increasing female participation in the AI sector. He views the Elevate Initiative as crucial for empowering women in AI research and application. The program aims to enhance women's roles in this field over the coming years.

During his address at UNESCO's forum, Dr. Habib underscored ICAIRE's commitment to developing recommendations for ethical AI use. He also highlighted the center’s role in promoting international dialogue on responsible AI practices.

Registration for the Elevate Initiative is open online, allowing interested participants to join this transformative program aimed at boosting women's presence in AI globally.

This initiative marks a significant step towards achieving gender inclusivity within the tech industry while ensuring ethical standards are upheld across all levels of AI development and implementation.

With inputs from SPA