The INTERACT Research Unit and Information Studies unit, at the University of Oulu, are conducting an AI Youth Ambassadorship program from June 5th till June 16th at the BusinessAsema FabLab and University of Oulu, with 12 student summer wokers.
In this program, students are introduced to Generative AI, Emotional AI, Critical Data Literacy, Sustainable AI, and AI in Social Media, focusing on how AI impacts their everyday lives. They also work with digital fabrication technologies in the BusinesAsema FabLab. Working in small teams, they will create content and materials for sharing information on AI and its impact on the youth - such as themselves, their friends, and their peers. They maintain active social media accounts (including Insta: @aiambassadors) about their work during these two weeks.
For the next academic year, as AI Youth Ambassadors, students will conduct one event, like a presentation or performance, at their school to share their learning about AI's impact on youth.
The program is related to several ongoing projects at the INTERACT Research Unit and Information Studies unit:
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Participatory AI with School children (PAIZ) project funded by the Academy of Finland (2021-2024. Project PI: Sumita Sharma (Project webpage).
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GenZ-project, a strategic profiling project in human sciences at the University of Oulu, supported by the Academy of Finland and the University of Oulu. Projectc co-PI: Marianne Kinnula (Project Webpage).
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Artificial intelligence mediating the everyday information practices of young people (AIM) funded by the Kone Foundation. Project PI: Noora Hirvonen, Researchers Aira Huttunen, Tuula Nygård, Tuulikki Alamettälä, Ville Jylhä, Yucong Lao.
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FutuProta project on young people as future design protagonists funded by the Academy of FInland. Project PI Marianne Kinnula, Researchers Behnaz Norouzi and Tuure Haarjärvi.
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Critical Changelab project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Project PIs Eva Durall and Marianne Kinnula, PhD student Yusra Niaz.
This program is also a part of the Special Interest Group on Children and AI at FCAI (Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence) and the AI-Educate initiative by Women in AI in Finland. Outcomes of the program were presented at AI day 2023 at Aalto, Helsinki (poster).