Bridging Global and Local Gaps -
AI for Equality 2024

In a year marked by global challenges, the AI for Equality 2024 initiative united participants from 18 countries to tackle critical gaps in technology and equity. Organized by HerWILL and AI4OPT, the program brought together students, researchers, and professionals to address real-world challenges in artificial intelligence while advancing ethical AI practices.

Program Overview

Four interactive sessions aimed at advancing AI expertise

Technical Workshops

Global Datathon

A 10-day competition addressing gender bias in the text

Workshop Overview

The workshops were designed to be both accessible and impactful, catering to participants from diverse educational backgrounds. For instance, 85% of attendees reported a significant improvement in their Python programming proficiency, with average post-workshop ratings rising from 2.5/5 to 4/5. The sessions on Machine Learning and Neural Networks equipped 78% of participants with the confidence to apply basic neural network models, demonstrating a clear advancement in their technical capabilities.

Moreover, the workshops on Large Language Models (LLMs) and Strategic AI Project Development enabled participants to explore AI's transformative potential in sectors like healthcare and education. These sessions were instrumental in not only enhancing technical knowledge but also in encouraging participants to think strategically about the application of AI in solving complex societal issues.

Overall View of Our "AI for Equality" Workshops

Participation Against Extraordinary Circumstances

The program saw 825 participants, including notable contributions from countries facing significant instability like Syria and Bangladesh.

Syria: Despite ongoing conflict and displacement, participants from refugee camps overcame limited resources to engage in the Datathon. Their involvement highlights the determination of individuals to pursue education and contribute to cutting-edge AI innovation, even under extreme conditions.
Bangladesh: In the aftermath of the July Revolution, Bangladeshi students demonstrated resilience by engaging in the initiative. Their success, including placing among the top winners, is a testament to the potential of youth to rise above national crises and contribute to global progress.

Overall View of Our "AI for Equality" Workshops

Bridging Global Expertise and Local Gaps

AI for Equality 2024 demonstrated how international expertise can complement local needs, addressing disparities in access to technology education and opportunities.

Workshops That Close Skill Gaps

Four workshops led by experts from institutions like Georgia Tech, MIT, and UC Berkeley provided participants with foundational and advanced skills in AI, including Python programming, machine learning, and large language models.

85% of participants reported improved proficiency, with many expressing interest in pursuing careers in AI.
These sessions bridged gaps for participants without prior experience, emphasizing accessibility and inclusion in technology education.

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Global Datathon

A 10-day competition addressing gender bias in the text

A Datathon for Real-World Impact

The 10-day Datathon challenged participants to develop AI models to detect gender bias in text. Using HerWILL’s synthetic dataset and the innovative F1NOP metric, the event promoted the creation of efficient and ethical AI solutions. Judges from leading institutions, including UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech, assessed not only technical performance but also communication and collaboration skills.

825

Program Participants

Story In Numbers

152

Datathon Contestants

117

Participating Universities

59

Cities

17

Countries

4

Workshops

6

Top Performers

3

Winners

Our Datathon 2024 Winners

Workshops: Building Global AI Expertise

The workshops ran from October 11 to 19, 2024, providing cutting-edge training on:

Python Essentials: Introducing foundational skills for AI development.
Machine Learning & Neural Networks: Covering essential AI techniques for real-world applications.
Large Language Models (LLMs): Exploring their transformative potential in critical sectors like healthcare and education.
Strategic Planning for Datathon: Equipping participants to lead data-driven projects collaboratively.

Workshop Instructors

Dr. Rabab Haider is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
Her research explores the design and operation of energy systems under deep decarbonization. I develop tools in the domains of physics-informed machine learning, distributed intelligence for grid-edge devices, and the design of future electricity markets. She was previously a MIT Energy Fellow (2022), MathWorks-MIT Mechanical Engineering Fellow (2021), and received the Hansen Fellowship (2018). In recognition of my research and community contributions to sustainability, I have been awarded the Raj V Tahil Fellowship Fund Award (2021) and Aarav Amar Bajpayee Memorial Prize (2023)

Reza is a Research Engineer II in H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech in 2023, focusing on developing ML methods for inverse design and knowledge discovery in nanophotonics, as well as enhancing human-machine cooperation for medical image analysis. In his current role at AI4OPT, he is focused on developing trustworthy AI methods that enable reliable and efficient decision-making within the engineering and healthcare fields.

Dr. Jin Xu is a researcher in AI + Robotics at Georgia Tech. He is passionate about building AI systems in both the virtual world (AI Agents) and in the physical world (a.k.a Embodied AI or robots). His current research interests are at the intersection of Human-AI Interaction, Conversational AI, VR/AR/MR, and, Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning. He earned my Ph.D. in Robotics from Georgia Tech. Previously, he was a Robotics Technical Fellow in the Advanced Technology Group at UPS, where I conducted applied research on the applications of robotics and automation and led strategic initiatives and roadmaps for various robotics projects for UPS R&D, including robotics simulation/digital twin, automated truck loading and unloading systems, and humanoid robots. He also spent time at Ohio State University working on ‘robots in the wild’ project.

Thomas is a Ph.D. student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech. As a Graduate Research Assistant at the NSF AI Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT), his research is focused on the intersection of machine learning and natural language processing for enabling trustworthy decision-making and information retrieval.

Mr. Noor Mairukh Khan Arnob is a researcher in the field of Generative AI. He is currently working as a Lecturer at the department of CSE, University of Asia Pacific. The goal of Mr. Arnob's research work is to contribute towards building a more fair and inclusive society. He has 4 published research articles in well-reputed journals. His research interests lie in Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Generative Models(DDPM and GAN), Ethics, Bias and Fairness of LLMs.

Dr. Rabab Haider is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
Her research explores the design and operation of energy systems under deep decarbonization. I develop tools in the domains of physics-informed machine learning, distributed intelligence for grid-edge devices, and the design of future electricity markets. She was previously a MIT Energy Fellow (2022), MathWorks-MIT Mechanical Engineering Fellow (2021), and received the Hansen Fellowship (2018). In recognition of my research and community contributions to sustainability, I have been awarded the Raj V Tahil Fellowship Fund Award (2021) and Aarav Amar Bajpayee Memorial Prize (2023)

Reza is a Research Engineer II in H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech in 2023, focusing on developing ML methods for inverse design and knowledge discovery in nanophotonics, as well as enhancing human-machine cooperation for medical image analysis. In his current role at AI4OPT, he is focused on developing trustworthy AI methods that enable reliable and efficient decision-making within the engineering and healthcare fields.

Dr. Jin Xu is a researcher in AI + Robotics at Georgia Tech. He is passionate about building AI systems in both the virtual world (AI Agents) and in the physical world (a.k.a Embodied AI or robots). His current research interests are at the intersection of Human-AI Interaction, Conversational AI, VR/AR/MR, and, Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning. He earned my Ph.D. in Robotics from Georgia Tech. Previously, he was a Robotics Technical Fellow in the Advanced Technology Group at UPS, where I conducted applied research on the applications of robotics and automation and led strategic initiatives and roadmaps for various robotics projects for UPS R&D, including robotics simulation/digital twin, automated truck loading and unloading systems, and humanoid robots. He also spent time at Ohio State University working on ‘robots in the wild’ project.

Thomas is a Ph.D. student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech. As a Graduate Research Assistant at the NSF AI Institute for Advances in Optimization (AI4OPT), his research is focused on the intersection of machine learning and natural language processing for enabling trustworthy decision-making and information retrieval.

Mr. Noor Mairukh Khan Arnob is a researcher in the field of Generative AI. He is currently working as a Lecturer at the department of CSE, University of Asia Pacific. The goal of Mr. Arnob's research work is to contribute towards building a more fair and inclusive society. He has 4 published research articles in well-reputed journals. His research interests lie in Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Generative Models(DDPM and GAN), Ethics, Bias and Fairness of LLMs.

Dr. Rabab Haider is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
Her research explores the design and operation of energy systems under deep decarbonization. I develop tools in the domains of physics-informed machine learning, distributed intelligence for grid-edge devices, and the design of future electricity markets. She was previously a MIT Energy Fellow (2022), MathWorks-MIT Mechanical Engineering Fellow (2021), and received the Hansen Fellowship (2018). In recognition of my research and community contributions to sustainability, I have been awarded the Raj V Tahil Fellowship Fund Award (2021) and Aarav Amar Bajpayee Memorial Prize (2023)

Reza is a Research Engineer II in H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech in 2023, focusing on developing ML methods for inverse design and knowledge discovery in nanophotonics, as well as enhancing human-machine cooperation for medical image analysis. In his current role at AI4OPT, he is focused on developing trustworthy AI methods that enable reliable and efficient decision-making within the engineering and healthcare fields.

Dr. Jin Xu is a researcher in AI + Robotics at Georgia Tech. He is passionate about building AI systems in both the virtual world (AI Agents) and in the physical world (a.k.a Embodied AI or robots). His current research interests are at the intersection of Human-AI Interaction, Conversational AI, VR/AR/MR, and, Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning. He earned my Ph.D. in Robotics from Georgia Tech. Previously, he was a Robotics Technical Fellow in the Advanced Technology Group at UPS, where I conducted applied research on the applications of robotics and automation and led strategic initiatives and roadmaps for various robotics projects for UPS R&D, including robotics simulation/digital twin, automated truck loading and unloading systems, and humanoid robots. He also spent time at Ohio State University working on ‘robots in the wild’ project.

Mr. Noor Mairukh Khan Arnob is a researcher in the field of Generative AI. He is currently working as a Lecturer at the department of CSE, University of Asia Pacific. The goal of Mr. Arnob's research work is to contribute towards building a more fair and inclusive society. He has 4 published research articles in well-reputed journals. His research interests lie in Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Generative Models(DDPM and GAN), Ethics, Bias and Fairness of LLMs.

Dr. Rabab Haider is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
Her research explores the design and operation of energy systems under deep decarbonization. I develop tools in the domains of physics-informed machine learning, distributed intelligence for grid-edge devices, and the design of future electricity markets. She was previously a MIT Energy Fellow (2022), MathWorks-MIT Mechanical Engineering Fellow (2021), and received the Hansen Fellowship (2018). In recognition of my research and community contributions to sustainability, I have been awarded the Raj V Tahil Fellowship Fund Award (2021) and Aarav Amar Bajpayee Memorial Prize (2023)

Reza is a Research Engineer II in H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech in 2023, focusing on developing ML methods for inverse design and knowledge discovery in nanophotonics, as well as enhancing human-machine cooperation for medical image analysis. In his current role at AI4OPT, he is focused on developing trustworthy AI methods that enable reliable and efficient decision-making within the engineering and healthcare fields.

Dr. Jin Xu is a researcher in AI + Robotics at Georgia Tech. He is passionate about building AI systems in both the virtual world (AI Agents) and in the physical world (a.k.a Embodied AI or robots). His current research interests are at the intersection of Human-AI Interaction, Conversational AI, VR/AR/MR, and, Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning. He earned my Ph.D. in Robotics from Georgia Tech. Previously, he was a Robotics Technical Fellow in the Advanced Technology Group at UPS, where I conducted applied research on the applications of robotics and automation and led strategic initiatives and roadmaps for various robotics projects for UPS R&D, including robotics simulation/digital twin, automated truck loading and unloading systems, and humanoid robots. He also spent time at Ohio State University working on ‘robots in the wild’ project.

Mr. Noor Mairukh Khan Arnob is a researcher in the field of Generative AI. He is currently working as a Lecturer at the department of CSE, University of Asia Pacific. The goal of Mr. Arnob's research work is to contribute towards building a more fair and inclusive society. He has 4 published research articles in well-reputed journals. His research interests lie in Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Generative Models(DDPM and GAN), Ethics, Bias and Fairness of LLMs.

Dr. Rabab Haider is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
Her research explores the design and operation of energy systems under deep decarbonization. I develop tools in the domains of physics-informed machine learning, distributed intelligence for grid-edge devices, and the design of future electricity markets. She was previously a MIT Energy Fellow (2022), MathWorks-MIT Mechanical Engineering Fellow (2021), and received the Hansen Fellowship (2018). In recognition of my research and community contributions to sustainability, I have been awarded the Raj V Tahil Fellowship Fund Award (2021) and Aarav Amar Bajpayee Memorial Prize (2023)

Reza is a Research Engineer II in H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech in 2023, focusing on developing ML methods for inverse design and knowledge discovery in nanophotonics, as well as enhancing human-machine cooperation for medical image analysis. In his current role at AI4OPT, he is focused on developing trustworthy AI methods that enable reliable and efficient decision-making within the engineering and healthcare fields.

Dr. Jin Xu is a researcher in AI + Robotics at Georgia Tech. He is passionate about building AI systems in both the virtual world (AI Agents) and in the physical world (a.k.a Embodied AI or robots). His current research interests are at the intersection of Human-AI Interaction, Conversational AI, VR/AR/MR, and, Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning. He earned my Ph.D. in Robotics from Georgia Tech. Previously, he was a Robotics Technical Fellow in the Advanced Technology Group at UPS, where I conducted applied research on the applications of robotics and automation and led strategic initiatives and roadmaps for various robotics projects for UPS R&D, including robotics simulation/digital twin, automated truck loading and unloading systems, and humanoid robots. He also spent time at Ohio State University working on ‘robots in the wild’ project.

Mr. Noor Mairukh Khan Arnob is a researcher in the field of Generative AI. He is currently working as a Lecturer at the department of CSE, University of Asia Pacific. The goal of Mr. Arnob's research work is to contribute towards building a more fair and inclusive society. He has 4 published research articles in well-reputed journals. His research interests lie in Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Generative Models(DDPM and GAN), Ethics, Bias and Fairness of LLMs.

Dr. Rabab Haider is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
Her research explores the design and operation of energy systems under deep decarbonization. I develop tools in the domains of physics-informed machine learning, distributed intelligence for grid-edge devices, and the design of future electricity markets. She was previously a MIT Energy Fellow (2022), MathWorks-MIT Mechanical Engineering Fellow (2021), and received the Hansen Fellowship (2018). In recognition of my research and community contributions to sustainability, I have been awarded the Raj V Tahil Fellowship Fund Award (2021) and Aarav Amar Bajpayee Memorial Prize (2023)

Reza is a Research Engineer II in H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech. He earned his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech in 2023, focusing on developing ML methods for inverse design and knowledge discovery in nanophotonics, as well as enhancing human-machine cooperation for medical image analysis. In his current role at AI4OPT, he is focused on developing trustworthy AI methods that enable reliable and efficient decision-making within the engineering and healthcare fields.

Dr. Jin Xu is a researcher in AI + Robotics at Georgia Tech. He is passionate about building AI systems in both the virtual world (AI Agents) and in the physical world (a.k.a Embodied AI or robots). His current research interests are at the intersection of Human-AI Interaction, Conversational AI, VR/AR/MR, and, Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning. He earned my Ph.D. in Robotics from Georgia Tech. Previously, he was a Robotics Technical Fellow in the Advanced Technology Group at UPS, where I conducted applied research on the applications of robotics and automation and led strategic initiatives and roadmaps for various robotics projects for UPS R&D, including robotics simulation/digital twin, automated truck loading and unloading systems, and humanoid robots. He also spent time at Ohio State University working on ‘robots in the wild’ project.

Mr. Noor Mairukh Khan Arnob is a researcher in the field of Generative AI. He is currently working as a Lecturer at the department of CSE, University of Asia Pacific. The goal of Mr. Arnob's research work is to contribute towards building a more fair and inclusive society. He has 4 published research articles in well-reputed journals. His research interests lie in Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Generative Models(DDPM and GAN), Ethics, Bias and Fairness of LLMs.

Datathon Judges

HerWILL’s 2024 Datathon Judges are leaders and innovators committed to fostering inclusivity and advancing opportunities for women and underrepresented youth in Data Science & AI.

Our Datathon Judges

Our esteemed panel of judges brings a wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives to the 2024 HerWILL Datathon. With backgrounds spanning academia, industry, and innovation, they are here to evaluate your ideas, celebrate your creativity, and inspire you to push the boundaries of possibility.

Each judge has been carefully selected for their outstanding contributions in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and beyond. Their collective experience ensures a fair, insightful, and impactful evaluation process.

Workshop Success Stories!

Driving Ethical AI and Global Change

The Datathon wasn’t just a competition; it was a bridge between disciplines, geographies, and cultures.

Promoting Ethical AI: Participants developed models that tackled bias, sparking global discussions on fairness and equity in AI applications.
Skill Building at Scale: Over 85% of participants reported measurable improvements in technical and problem-solving skills, equipping them to address future AI challenges.
Diverse Representation: With 63% female participants, the event underscored HerWILL’s commitment to empowering women and marginalized communities in tech.

As we look ahead, the HerWILL AI for Equality 2024 program serves as a testament to the power of technology as a force for good. By continuing to engage stakeholders across sectors, we can build a more equitable and innovative future.

Datathon: Solving Real-World Challenges with AI

Datathon: Tackling Real-World Challenges with Global Expertise

The HerWILL: AI for Equality Datathon, held from October 21–31 on Kaggle, brought together 152 participants from 17 countries to confront a critical challenge: detecting gender bias in text using AI. Participants were tasked with creating machine learning models evaluated on both accuracy and efficiency, leveraging a 10,000-record synthetic dataset developed in-house by HerWILL.

A Unique and Impactful Experience

Global Mentorship and Collaboration
Participants worked under the guidance of renowned experts from leading institutions such as Georgia Tech, UC Berkeley, and industry leaders, gaining valuable insights and refining their solutions in real-time. This mentorship model fostered innovation and empowered participants to think beyond traditional approaches, ensuring they gained both technical expertise and a nuanced understanding of ethical AI.

Showcasing Excellence
The competition culminated in a powerful finale where the top six performers presented their modeling techniques and findings to a distinguished global jury, which included academics and practitioners from elite institutions worldwide. This high-stakes platform offered participants the opportunity to validate their work and hone their presentation skills.

Stories of Resilience and Success

The Datathon's focus on broad representation created a stage where talent from emerging regions thrived. Among the winners, three stories stood out:

Syria: Despite the turmoil of displacement and limited resources, a robotics student from Damascus University demonstrated incredible resilience and technical prowess, securing a top spot. Her solution impressed the jury with its innovative approach and efficiency.
Bangladesh: Two students from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) competed with unparalleled determination. One winner’s model achieved the highest balance of performance and efficiency, while the other’s strong presentation skills and thoughtful communication captivated the judges.

These winners walked away with cash prizes, scholarships for Coursera Certification courses, and continued mentorship to further their careers. One of them has since joined HerWILL for hands-on experience, exemplifying the long-term impact of the initiative.

TOP PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES

Damascus University
University of Aleppo
Tartous University
BUET
North South University
Al-Azhar University
Syrian Virtual University (SVU)
Tishreen University
University of Dhaka
BRAC University
RUET
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
University of Massachusetts (UMass)
Texas Southern University
Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative
Wadi Al Shatti University
Yarmouk Private University
Cairo University
Yarmouk University
Zagazig University

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Datathon Supervisors

HerWILL’s 2024 Datathon Supervisors play a pivotal role in mentoring and supporting participants, ensuring a seamless and impactful experience as they navigate the challenges of Data Science & AI.

Sessions from Datathon 2024

Python Essentials Unleashed

Advanced Text Processing with Python

Understanding Large Language Models (LLMs)

Datathon Countdown: Strategic Planning

Workshop Success Stories!

Chantal ashraf fouad
Egypt

The AI for Equality Workshops were impactful, highlighting meaningful applications of AI. Initially, self-doubt about contributing arose, but the supportive environment boosted confidence and eased the learning process.

Shafia Tasnim Samonti
Bangladesh

The workshops by HerWILL deepened my understanding of data science and sparked a genuine passion to explore its endless possibilities.

Mohammad Wannos
Syria

My advice is to take full advantage of the workshops. Even if you don’t have an AI background, the skills you learn—like Python and AI—can be used in many fields. Try to apply what you learn to your own work, and don’t be afraid to experiment

Ebaa Safieh
Syria

My experience with the HerWILL workshops has been incredibly enriching and motivating, offering access to valuable resources and expert guidance in AI. The supportive environment encouraged collaboration with diverse professionals, broadening my perspective and problem-solving approach.

A Call to Action for Global Change

HerWILL and AI4OPT invite funders, researchers, universities, organizations, and governments to collaborate in advancing these efforts. Together, we can create pathways for underrepresented groups to engage with technology and shape a more equitable future.

Learn more at HerWILL and join us in bridging global and local gaps in AI and innovation.

Join Us

Datathon 2024 Leads

Saiyara Mahmud

STEM Bangladesh Lead

Dr. Aya Mohamed Mahmoud

MENA Region Lead, HerWILL Egypt

Carol Georges Zakhour

Country Manager, HerWILL Syria

Dr. Ranya Amer

Country Director, HerWILL Egypt

Bridging Global and Local Gaps - AI for Equality 2024

Program Overview

Workshop Overview

Overall View of Our "AI for Equality" Workshops

Overall View of Our "AI for Equality" Workshops

Program Participants

Story In Numbers

Datathon Contestants

Participating Universities

Cities

Countries

Workshops

Top Performers

Winners

Our Datathon 2024 Winners

Workshop Instructors

Datathon Judges

Our Datathon Judges

Workshop Success Stories!

Datathon: Solving Real-World Challenges with AI

TOP PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES

Datathon Supervisors

Sessions from Datathon 2024

Workshop Success Stories!

Chantal ashraf fouad Egypt

​Shafia Tasnim Samonti Bangladesh

Mohammad Wannos Syria

Ebaa Safieh Syria

A Call to Action for Global Change

Saiyara Mahmud

Dr. Aya Mohamed Mahmoud

Carol Georges Zakhour

Dr. Ranya Amer

Bridging Global and Local Gaps -
AI for Equality 2024

Chantal ashraf fouad
Egypt

Shafia Tasnim Samonti
Bangladesh

Mohammad Wannos
Syria

Ebaa Safieh
Syria