Pupils from Emirati schools sharpen their AI abilities at an Abu Dhabi summer camp under the tutelage of IIT Delhi.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Abu Dhabi recently hosted an intensive five-day summer bootcamp for high school students, focusing on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the energy transition.
The programme, named the Energy and AI programme, aimed to introduce young learners to cutting-edge interdisciplinary technologies at the intersection of energy and AI. The goal was to develop students' understanding of how AI can aid energy sustainability challenges.
Over 50 students were selected from 400 who registered, and they engaged in a variety of activities such as presenting case studies on AI in energy transition, participating in group activities, and competing for daily prizes.
During the programme, pupils interacted with professors and researchers in the field, providing them with valuable insights and opportunities to learn directly from experts. The workshops also included hands-on experiences, such as 3D-printing workshops where students created new designs for windmills.
One of the unique features of the programme was the use of a specialized kit called the Buddhi [intelligence] kit, which was used to teach AI to school pupils. In addition, waste-to-wealth sessions taught students about converting discarded date seeds into energy.
The programme also provided opportunities for students to conduct experiments and apply their knowledge to real-world case studies. Pupils focused on projects building microgrids that operate independently to generate electricity for a specific area.
The winter programme at IIT may inspire pupils to consider careers in sustainable energy and aerospace engineering. The programme was held at the state-of-the-art IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi campus, providing a comprehensive and immersive educational experience.
The programme was not limited to students from the UAE. Lebanese citizen Sameer, 17, and Syrian citizen Alaa, 17, were among the participants. Sameer gained insights into energy consumption and is interested in studying aerospace engineering, while Alaa is considering studying sustainable energy after the programme.
IIT plans to host similar programmes in the winter for pupils, offering them the opportunity to further their understanding in advanced maths classes and continue learning about AI and sustainability.
References: [1] IIT Abu Dhabi. (n.d.). Education. Retrieved from https://www.iitdabudhabi.ac.ae/education [2] IIT Abu Dhabi. (n.d.). Energy and AI Programme. Retrieved from https://www.iitdabudhabi.ac.ae/education/energy-and-ai-programme [5] IIT Abu Dhabi. (n.d.). Certificates. Retrieved from https://www.iitdabudhabi.ac.ae/certificates
- The Energy and AI programme at IIT in Abu Dhabi presented an opportunity for young learners from different countries, including Syria and Lebanon, to explore the intersection of energy and artificial intelligence.
- The five-day summer bootcamp focused on teaching students how AI can contribute to energy sustainability challenges, providing hands-on experiences like 3D-printing windmill designs.
- Students also interacted with UAE-based professors and researchers, learning directly from experts about the latest technological advancements in the field of energy and AI.
- Following the completion of the programme, Syrian participant Alaa expressed an interest in studying sustainable energy, while Lebanese participant Sameer showed an interest in aerospace engineering.
- IIT plans to offer similar programmes in the future, aiming to provide students with advanced maths classes and continued learning opportunities about AI and sustainability.
- The winter programme for pupils, held at the IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi campus, proved to be a comprehensive and immersive educational experience in the realm of technology, education, and self-development.
