UM6P Launches Innovative Summer School to Empower African Women in Tech & AI

Rabat – Morocco’s increasingly prominent Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) has launched a tech and AI-themed summer school aimed at preparing participants to navigate the disruptions and emerging demands of an increasingly digitized global economy.

Developed by the “African Women in Tech & AI” program, which is the fruit of a collaboration between the OCP Foundation and UM6P’s AI Movement Center, the immersive summer school kicked off its summer camp today, August 22. The program is scheduled to last until September 3, with classes set to take place at UM6P’s Technopolis campus in Rabat.

Describing this program as a symbol of capacity building in the fields of technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence, the organizers said in a joint press statement that this hightech-themed intensive training phase will focus on women’s leadership, future prospects applied to AI, comparative analysis, market research, and AI project management.

Through case studies and interactive workshops, participants will refine their skills and develop project proposals, culminating in a presentation before a jury, the statement explained, stressing that the most promising projects will have the opportunity to receive funding for implementation, enabling participants to have a tangible impact in their respective fields.

The African Women in Tech & AI program is supported by UNESCO’s Priority Africa and External Relations (PAX) Sector. As such, the joint press statement detailed, its mission is to shape the future through innovation in technology and AI. In addition, the program aims to provide African women with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to thrive in the digital era, opening new perspectives for women across the continent, noted the statement.

The program’s inaugural cohort, comprising 34 women from diverse backgrounds, brings a wealth of experiences, perspectives, and skills. These participants hail from 11 countries across Africa, the statement explained, noting that they are entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers, and African professionals eager to make a positive impact on their communities.

The first phase of the program included engaging online training sessions, covering a wide range of topics over 36 hours. Participants gained valuable insights into AI and its subdomains, the adoption of AI in businesses, and successful AI implementations in Africa.

This phase explored crucial aspects such as data collection, sorting, and storage, as well as the development and training of data-based machine learning models. Also discussed in this inaugural program were decision-making methodologies, ethical considerations in AI, providing a holistic understanding of the AI landscape.

According to Professor Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Executive Chair of the International Center for Artificial Intelligence in Morocco, the program believes “in the transformative power of technology and the immense potential of African women to drive innovation and change.”

“With this program,” she added, “we provide women with a platform to thrive, empowering them to lead and shape the future of technology in Africa.”