The Artificial Intelligence For Sustainable Development (AI4SD) has launched the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL) Robotics Club at Holy Child Senior High School (S.H.S.) in the Central Region of Ghana.

The initiative, funded by the French Embassy in Ghana, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the International Development Research Center (IDRC), and Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D), aims to inspire and educate students about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, with a strong emphasis on responsible and ethical use of technology.

The event commenced with a meeting between the AI4SD team and the school’s management to discuss the initiative’s objectives and the vital role of school’s support in advancing technology-driven education.

Meeting with the school management

During the launch, the Headmistress of Holy Child S.H.S, Mrs. Linda Appiah, reaffirmed the school’s commitment to STEM education. She expressed with confidence that the establishment of AI4SD’s RAIL Robotics Club would equip students with the skills and knowledge needed in this technological era.

Headmistress of Holy Child Senior High School, Mrs. Linda Appiah

She described the club as an opportunity for students to engage in hands-on projects, attend workshops, and collaborate on real-world solutions.

“This initiative will inspire and empower our students to develop critical skills that will shape their futures and contribute meaningfully to society. The club will be a space where innovation meets inspiration, encouraging every member to reach their full potential,” Mrs. Appiah indicated.

During the event, Dr. Mrs. Eunice Akyereko Adjei, the AI in Education Theme Lead, spoke on behalf of the AI4SD Project Lead, Prof. Jerry John Kponyo.

In her address, Dr. Akyereko emphasized the importance of integrating gender-specific attributes into technological solutions in advancing inclusivity in the field of robotics.

Dr. Mrs. Eunice Akyereko Adjei, the AI in Education Theme Lead

She highlighted the critical need for students to take robotics training seriously to acquire skills, stressing its importance for personal growth and its necessity in the 21st century field of work.

Dr. Adjei introduced the audience to the various thematic areas and their respective activities under AI4SD project in achieving ethical and inclusive solutions for the sustainable development goals.

Ms. Rachel Yayra Adjoe, an alumna of Holy Child and an MPhil Computer Engineering student at RAIL-KNUST, introduced students to the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

From left to right;Dr. Kwame Oteng Gyasi, the Lead Trainer for the RAIL Robotics Club. and Ms. Rachel Yayra Adjoe, an MPhil Computer Engineering student at RAIL-KNUST

She provided insights into AI’s functionality, benefits, and potential risks, stressing the importance of ethical AI applications.

“AI is becoming the new norm, and as students, we must embrace it to remain relevant in this evolving technological landscape. Understanding the power of AI and using it responsibly is essential in solving real-world challenges,” she emphasized.

Dr. Martina Francisca Baidoo, a member of the AI4SD RAIL Robotics team and a 2003 alumna of Holy Child School, addressed the students on academic opportunities at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Dr. Martina Francisca Baidoo, AI4SD, AI in Education theme member

She introduced them to various university programs, outlined admission requirements, and encouraged them to pursue excellence through discipline, hard work, and dedication.

Dr. Martina Francisca Baidoo officially inaugurated the club and introduced the mentors to the students.

Photograph with AI4SD team, club members and mentors

The event concluded with a technical training session for club members and mentors, led by Dr. Kwame Oteng Gyasi, the Lead Trainer for the RAIL Robotics Club.

Dr. Kwame Oteng Gyasi introducing students to robotics

Using the EV3 programming interface, participants received hands-on training on how robots process data from their environment and interact with it to execute a task.

Overview of students at the launch

Finally, the students were introduced to key component applications in robotics such as sensors, actuators, controllers and uses of robotics in various sectors of development.