To boost digital literacy skills, the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), has inaugurated its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Girls in Engineering Club, aimed at grooming young experts to boost the nation’s rapid industrialization.
About 300 undergraduates and young female engineers were inaugurated under the scheme named, APWEN Lagos Skill Up Initiatives tagged: “Skill Development on Industry Trends And Cutting Edge Technologies” in Lagos.
Speaking at the forum, Chairperson, Lagos APWEN, Mrs. Atinuke Owolabi, described AI as a transformative force helping to reshape industries, solve complex problems and enhance living and livelihoods.
AI, she said, is helping humanity to address complex challenges in various sectors, but there has been gender disparity in the field, hence the inauguration of the club to bridge the gap.
With AI, Owolabi said young engineers would be able to apply their techniques into machines and get things done within a short time.She said that the selected female engineering students would be taught in many areas of AI disciplines to gain skills and become employers of labour rather than looking for jobs.
Owolabi said: “It is no exaggeration to say that AI will play a pivotal role in addressing some of the greatest challenges facing humanity, from climate change to healthcare, from transportation to education. Empowerment of young female engineers would provide a level playing field and ensure that innovations to shape Nigeria’s future were driven by inclusive innovations.”
She charged the students to embrace challenges, seek knowledge, and never be afraid to ask questions. In this club, you will have access to resources, mentors and a community of like-minded individuals, who share your passion. ICT expert, Mr. Haastrup Adesoji, told the students that the training would offer them six months opportunity to learn different skills.