Natives in Tech and Indigenous in AI offer AI Code Camps that provide Lakota youth with hands-on experience in mobile app development, deep learning, and extended reality, integrating Indigenous knowledge and methodologies. This initiative addresses the lack of representation and pathways for Indigenous students in advanced technology fields, fostering future researchers and professionals in machine learning.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Indigenous students are underrepresented in advanced technology fields, limiting their access to education and career pathways in areas like software engineering, artificial intelligence, and extended reality. This lack of representation can result in a missed opportunity to integrate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the development of new technologies.
Solution
Natives in Tech and Indigenous in AI address this gap by offering AI Code Camps that provide Lakota youth with hands-on experience in mobile app development, deep learning, and extended reality. The three-week summer program allows high school students to develop personalized mobile apps using industry-standard software engineering practices, computer science, and AI, all while incorporating Indigenous knowledge and methodologies. The program aims to inspire students to pursue higher education and careers in advanced technology fields, connecting them with a supportive community of Indigenous peers, mentors, and technical experts. By fostering a sense of belonging and providing relevant skills, the AI Code Camps lay the foundation for future Indigenous AI researchers, practitioners, and professionals.
Target Audience
The primary target audience is Lakota youth in high school who are interested in exploring careers in advanced technology fields such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, and extended reality.
Features
- Hands-on training in mobile app development using industry-standard software engineering practices.
- Curriculum covering deep learning and extended reality concepts.
- Integration of Indigenous knowledge and methodologies into the technical curriculum.
- Personalized mobile app development projects.
- Mentorship from Indigenous peers, mentors, and technical experts.
- Community building activities to foster a supportive learning environment.
- T3PD (Teach the Teacher Professional Development) Program to increase the number of Indigenous educators.