Artificial intelligence (AI) is still a male domain – with significant consequences: AI systems and applications tend to be shaped by a male perspective and the experiences of women and vulnerable groups are not sufficiently incorporated into the development stage. This in turn leads to imbalanced AI-based services that are increasingly becoming part of our everyday lives – in job applications or security checks for example.
Finally, the low representation of women in the AI workforce may result in women and marginalized groups missing the opportunity to enter one of the industries poised to generate a significant number of well-paid jobs.
Empowerment through knowledge: The AI and Data Science Bootcamp for Women and Minorities in South Africa
In response to these challenges, FAIR Forward created the AI and Data Science Bootcamp for Women* and Minorities. The first edition of the AI and Data Science Bootcamp for Women* and Minorities was held in South Africa from July to October 2023, through a partnership with the BMZ Project Data Economy and Intel. Intel’s learning content and status as an industry leader in the technology space ensured that both students and lead trainers received valuable skills and certification.
The bootcamp recognizes the barriers women face and aims to support them in overcoming these obstacles. Designed as a hybrid training program, our intent and priority were to upskill women in South Africa irrespective of their geographic location or academic background. The core idea was that anyone can learn Data Science and AI.
In essence, the training program can take participants with no prior coding knowledge to a level of proficiency in Machine Learning. People from different sectors were intentionally welcomed, emphasizing the applicability of these skills in various industries to the intersectional nature of technology. This approach materialized in final projects that ranged from detecting credit card fraud to early diagnosis of diabetes, predicting breast cancer, developing a sign language visual translator, and more.
Finally, 35 women and 2 non-binary individuals, from 8 different provinces graduated from the bootcamp.
Focus on diversity and inclusion: empowering mothers and non-binary people
This Bootcamp marks the first instance in FAIR Forward’s capacity development history where two participants identified as non-binary. Initially expressing fears of potential rejection or social judgment based on appearance or lifestyle choice, both individuals were ultimately warmly welcomed and integrated at in-person events and became cherished classmates in the Bootcamp.
These individuals also went on to receive awards for their coding capabilities and project presentation (solving local problems) at the Bootcamp awards ceremony. Their enhanced confidence and genuine social inclusion motivated them to go above and beyond by offering additional coding lessons to their peers that were struggling with coding.
But inclusion did not end there: the Bootcamp also served as an opportunity for mothers to upskill. Two critical elements assisted these mothers in their completion of the demanding 16-week training:
- The flexibility of hybrid sessions, including the ability to catch up with recorded sessions,
- and the support of their peers and the service provider
Collaborating on the same final project, the mothers not only understood each other’s time constraints but also assisted in childcare, including one case where one participant gave birth during the Bootcamp period and returned to complete the Bootcamp. This team of mothers also went on to win an award for their language technology solution.
I thoroughly enjoyed delving into the practical applications of machine learning algorithms during the bootcamp. The hands-on projects and real-world scenarios provided a valuable and engaging learning experience in the field of data science. Lastly, I cherished engaging with the amazing women I met during the bootcamp.
One of the participants recounts her experience.
Being a hybrid program in a country grappling with energy supply challenges (load shedding) and other socio-economic challenges presented many technical issues. One participant with poor internet connectivity in an outlying rural community was connected with a nearby company, allowing her to work from their space.
Ultimately, the most remarkable aspect of this program is how the participants formed a close-knit community, creating a safe space for learning, support and advancing together – the embodiment of ubuntu. They continue to support each other, staying connected through a WhatsApp group even after the Bootcamp has ended, where they share opportunities and celebrate each other’s successes.
But the story doesn´t end here
After the successful pilot in South Africa the AI and Data Science Bootcamp is being adapted and implemented in other countries. The numbers show that AI is attractive for women and diverse people when we make them feel welcome from the beginning: in Ghana the AI Fellowship for Women received 5,975 applications and already completed the training with 25 aspiring AI professionals while the AI4Women program in Rwanda received 1,405 applications and is training 35 women.
By the end of this year, an e-learning course will be published out of the content developed for this Bootcamp. This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) will be hosted on NEMISA´s platform and atingi, aiming to train 100 participants in the first cohort.
Finally, the MOOC will be translated and adapted into Bahasa language in Indonesia and will target marginalised communities, especially LGBTQIA+ and women*.
