US-based non-profit, 1M1B (1 Million for 1 Billion) Foundation has announced that it will set up AI Youth Labs in 50 schools across India this year, of which 10 will be Mobile Labs for rural and underserved schools in Karnataka, AP, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand, giving access to over 40-50 schools.
The launch was announced in the presence of Hawa Diallo, Chief, Civil Society Unit, United Nations Department of Global Communications, New York and Principals of 1M1B partner schools in New Delhi on January 29. The AI Youth Lab will be equipped with resources and tools required for students to get a hands-on experience of working with artificial intelligence. With the idea of making learning AI a fun experience, the students will be provided expert mentorship and participation in a range of hot-topic discussions, trainings and hands-on activities.
A huge component of the AI Lab is the AI Super League (a kind of AI Olympiad) which will offer AI mentoring and get AI talent from India recognition at a national and international level. Some of the unique things that will be offered to students in the lab will be a) For entry level students: Mentoring by a chatbot and an online forum called AI Guru b) For students who move to the national level: Coding support and mentoring by experts from India c) For students who move to international level: Prototype development and mentoring by experts from Silicon Valley.Top students from India will be receive scholarships and will be invited to present their work in a 3-day event (AI Super League finals) at the Silicon Valley.
Manav Subodh, Co-founder 1M1B Foundation said, “AI has the power to amplify the impact of the solutions for social good. Through the AI Youth Lab, we believe we can help young boys and girls create more positive impact using AI while they also learn future skills like collaboration, emotional intelligence which will make them job ready for a fast changing future when they step out of school.”
The AI Youth Lab will empower and enable youth to ideate and prototype solutions leveraging AI. “Youth are key to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Investing in their innovative skills including leadership, entrepreneurship and Artificial Intelligence are key in creating a sustainable present and future,” said Hawa Diallo, Chief, Civil Society Unit, Department of Global Communications, United Nations.
