Empowering Girls in AI: A Mission Born from Competition

For one inspiring high school student in New Jersey, a single moment at a computer science competition sparked a passionate mission to engage more teenage girls in the world of artificial intelligence (AI).

Meet Ishani Singh, now 17 years old, who was just a freshman at High Technology High School in 2021 when she attended a state computer science competition. It was here that she made a surprising and disheartening observation: she was one of only a few female competitors. Things only got more shocking for her during the regional competition, where she realized she was the only girl present.

"I looked around, and there were, like, zero girls, and I was like, ‘OK,’" Singh recounted in a candid interview with ABC News, featured in their annual special, "The Year: 2024," airing this December 26th. "That felt a little weird."

This eye-opening experience prompted Singh to create Girls Rule AI, an initiative aimed at empowering young women to dive into the realm of artificial intelligence—a field that NASA describes as the ability of computer systems to perform complex tasks usually requiring human reasoning and decision-making.

Since launching the organization nearly three years ago, Girls Rule AI has made impressive strides, teaching free AI courses to over 200 girls across 25 states and six countries, including Kenya and Afghanistan. Singh’s efforts highlight the need for greater female representation in AI, a field often dominated by men.

Gloria Mwangi, an instructor with Girls Rule AI in Kenya, expressed her belief that women in tech can drive transformative changes. "In Kenya, the interest in tech and AI is definitely growing," she noted. "I think AI has a lot of potential to make a difference for young women here."

What sets Girls Rule AI apart is Singh’s focus on accessibility. "I think girls are a little afraid to just start on this journey,” she explained. By providing a supportive community, she aims to boost their confidence and encourage more girls to explore AI.

Despite the progress made, Singh acknowledges there’s still a long way to go in inspiring girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). According to the American Association of University Women, women currently make up only 34% of the STEM workforce, facing an especially steep uphill battle in fast-growing fields like computer science and engineering.

"We’re not at the level that we should be," Singh emphasizes. "There should be more women in the tech field." She believes that the increasing interest in AI among young girls will enrich the technology landscape with diverse voices and perspectives.

"If we have a growing number of girls and women entering this field, they’ll contribute valuable insights into the AI models we’re creating," Singh expressed, reflecting her hopes for the future.

Join the movement! Tune into "The Year: 2024" on ABC this December 26th, and stream it on Hulu starting December 27th.

The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.