AI skills accelerator for girls
To enhance digital skills for girls and women on the latest trends in technology for Artificial Intelligence, the ITU Development Sector and Ernst & Young (EY) have joined forces to implement “AI skills accelerator for girls”, a 2-year programme to address the challenge of ensuring girls’ and women’s access to the latest and emerging trends in technology.
This programme will benefit girls and women, particularly from marginalized and underserved communities, by providing them with the necessary digital, ethical, and managerial skills to become content creators, and to boost creativity and innovation in solving challenges at the community level using AI.
In 2 years, the expected results are:
- 1000 girls and young women will be trained at in-person workshops where they will receive knowledge, mentoring and expert support to develop solutions for communities.
- The workshops will take place in 12 countries around the globe – 2 countries per ITU region. The countries will be selected at a later date.
- Participants will have the opportunity to compete to win a chance to attend an ITU event on AI.
The project will be implemented by the ITU Development Sector in collaboration with EQUALS and EY.
The Workshops
Participants gain a unique blend of digital, ethical, and managerial skills, fostering creativity and innovation while addressing critical challenges in their communities. Over the course of the program, workshops will continue to be held in a total of 12 countries across ITU regions, providing global representation.
The following six countries were selected for the first cohort (2024-2025):
- India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malta and Paraguay.
Previous workshops in 2025
| Country | Dates | Venue |
| India | 22 January | ITU Innovation Center, C-DOT Campus, New Delhi, India |
| India | 23 January | ITU Innovation Center, C-DOT Campus, New Delhi, India |
| Jordan | 6 February | Amman, Jordan |
| Kazakhstan | 5 February | Astana Hub, Astana, Kazakhstan |
| Kazakhstan | 6 February | Astana Hub, Astana, Kazakhstan |
| Kazakhstan | 7 February | Astana Hub, Astana, Kazakhstan |
Previous Workshops in 2024
| Country | Dates | Venue |
| Paraguay | 10 October 2024 | Higher Technical Institute for Equity Training Tape Jojara, Asunción, Paraguay |
| Paraguay | 11 October 2024 | Higher Technical Institute for Equity Training Tape Jojara, Asunción, Paraguay |
| Malta | 16 October 2024 | EY, Achille Ferris Street, Msida, Malta |
| Malta | 29 October 2024 | Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valetta, Malta |
| Kenya | 20 November 2024 | W4-EmpServe hub in Nairobi, Kenya |
| Kenya | 21 November 2024 | W4-EmpServe hub in Nairobi, Kenya |
The program’s workshops cover a rich curriculum designed to inspire and educate participants on both the technical and ethical dimensions of AI. Topics include an introduction to artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning, coding, and data handling, as well as discussions on the ethics, bias, and risks of AI. Participants also explore the practical applications of AI in various fields and learn about career opportunities in AI-driven industries.
Beyond the workshops, participants receive ongoing support, including mentorship from experts and the opportunity to showcase the winning ideas (1 per country) during an event led by ITU. These experiences help participants build confidence, develop leadership skills, and create meaningful solutions for their communities.
By the end of this two-year journey, the AI Skills Accelerator for Girls aims to create a global network of empowered young women ready to innovate and lead in the world of technology. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to inspire and equip participants to make a meaningful impact in their communities.