Get Guardian on GoogleHACEY has trained 2,000 adolescent girls across five states in artificial intelligence (AI), digital safety, and creative problem-solving as part of efforts to prepare them for an increasingly technology-driven world.
The training was held during the 14th edition of the Girl Child Summit, organised by the non-governmental organisation to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.
The summit, themed “Girls, AI and the Future,” reached participants in Cross River, Adamawa, Anambra, Kwara and Kaduna states through school-based engagements, an essay competition and a one-day gathering in Lagos.
Speaking at the summit, the Executive Director of HACEY, Rhoda Robinson, said it was imperative for girls to be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to participate actively in the development and application of artificial intelligence.
Robinson said the growing integration of AI into education, healthcare, politics and communication made it necessary to ensure that girls were not excluded from emerging technological opportunities.
“Girls need to be at the forefront of the AI race, of understanding AI, of understanding its use, its applicability and the harm it can do if not applied appropriately,” she said.
She noted that although AI presented opportunities for learning, research, creativity and career development, its misuse could expose young girls to misinformation, deepfakes, cyberbullying, privacy violations and online exploitation.
According to her, HACEY’s intervention was designed to move beyond introducing girls to AI by equipping them with practical skills and the ability to use the technology responsibly.
The school-level engagements, conducted in five secondary schools across the participating states, exposed the girls to AI tools, effective prompting techniques and the ethical use of technology.
The sessions also encouraged participants to explore how AI could support academic work, research, creativity and solutions to challenges within their communities.
An essay competition was organised to enable the girls develop ideas on technology and the future, with outstanding participants receiving prizes at the summit.
The Lagos gathering featured discussions on the sub-theme, “Truth in the Age of AI: Media Literacy and Digital Integrity for Girls.”
Participants were exposed to issues surrounding misinformation, manipulated content, deepfakes, online privacy, consent, cyberbullying and responsible content creation.
The programme also featured a keynote address on preparing girls to lead in a changing digital environment, interactive sessions on artificial intelligence, a demonstration on effective AI prompting for learning and research, and a panel discussion on digital integrity.
A fireside chat, titled “Staying Safe, Smart and Authentic Online,” further addressed online safety, privacy and the protection of digital identities.
The girls also had the opportunity to engage directly with panellists and share their experiences with technology, social media and AI.
The Head of Sustainability at Access Holdings Plc, Ayodeji Lawal, said the organisation’s partnership with HACEY was aimed at advancing quality education and gender equality.
Lawal said the collaboration supported Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5, which focus on quality education and gender equality.
He added that the summit provided the girls with knowledge on how to leverage AI in preparing for the future.
The event also featured the launch of the PAVE Girl documentary and the inauguration of new members of the HACEY Girl Advisory Board, comprising young female leaders expected to contribute to programmes focused on girls’ development.
The Girl Voices segment provided selected participants with an opportunity to share their experiences and outline how they intended to apply the knowledge gained from the summit.
Robinson said the organisation was committed to creating an environment where girls could access and use AI productively beyond social media, particularly in education, skills development and participation in policymaking.
“We need to create an environment where girls are able to access AI and they can productively use it in everyday life,” she said.
She added that girls should be empowered to contribute to decisions affecting their communities and future.
The summit is HACEY’s flagship annual programme marking the International Day of the Girl Child, established by the United Nations to promote the rights of girls and draw attention to the challenges they face.
Since 2012, the organisation has commemorated the day through initiatives aimed at advancing the health, rights and economic empowerment of girls across Nigeria.
