Ara-developed teaching tool features in Global AI Bootcamp

_{Delegates at the Global AI Bootcamp tune into an opening keynote address}

Venue capacity was doubled to meet demand as the world’s biggest AI community brought an event to Ara Institute of Canterbury for the first time over the weekend.

Global AI Community Bootcamps are held in 143 locations across 45 countries during March and April and are attended by everyone from students to seasoned developers and IT professionals.

Workshops and discussion panels cover a range of topics from personal use of AI to software development.

Local organiser Steve Knutson was grateful for the support of Ara in staging the first Bootcamp in the city.

“It was great to see many new faces that hadn’t attended local community events before. You know you’ve created a good event when the interactions between presenters and audience members are authentic and in both directions,” he said.

_{Amit Sarkar presents projects developed at Ara}

An ‘ensemble’ of AI products in development at Ara—including a tool aimed at improving literacy outcomes at tertiary and secondary school levels—featured at the bootcamp.

Ara Digital Technologies academic Dr. Amit Sarkar said it was exciting to have the opportunity to discuss the tool, which has reached the real-life testing stage.

“This newly developed product exemplifies ethical, responsible use of AI in teaching and learning,” Sarkar said. “The tool we’ve created doesn’t provide answers. It will provide suggestions and hints to encourage thinking and ideas on things like essay introductions or structure. It’s not a generative AI which might write the essay for you.”

“My Ara colleague Selena Chan and I received Ako New Zealand funding for this interdisciplinary project a year ago. Two Ara graduate students secured paid scholarships to work on it, and it’s now ready for testing in a real-world environment. Hundreds of students will get to use it in the classroom in March and April. We’re looking forward to the feedback.”

Ara Executive Director Darren Mitchell said the Global AI Bootcamp was a great opportunity to welcome local industry experts to campus and demonstrate the institute's drive to be at the forefront of AI research and development.

“Not only do we have industry-connected kamahi innovating in this space and solving real-world problems, but their research also provides real opportunities for our students as they complete their studies or head into employment,” Mitchell said.

Sarkar said the Global Bootcamp organisers were thrilled to see this and other “hands-on” projects showcased at the event.

The not-for-profit Global AI Community has a focus on helping people learn about AI. Its mission is to promote, educate and advance a diverse AI community through outreach, education, conferences, events and social gatherings.

Sarkar said the keynote speakers and session leaders were all members of the Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professionals) programme.

“Everyone on that programme has earned that recognition for their technical expertise, leadership, online influence and commitment to problem solving. So, the 100 delegates signed up had great keynote insights.”

He believes the popularity of the event demonstrates both the apprehension and excitement that AI generates.

“People want to understand it holistically and how it can be useful. They want to see how they can be part of that disruption rather than being victim of that disruption,” he said.