The nonprofit, Interfaith Family Services, has started working with families to help them learn how to use technology like artificial intelligence to help them improve their lives. The organization is hosting an "AI bootcamp" to introduce people of all ages to the benefits and drawbacks of artificial intelligence.
"AI bootcamp can show how to determine whether or not the information you're being provided is accurate or even healthy," says Interfaith Family Services' Kimberly Williams.
The organization works with low-income families to help them become self-sufficient. Williams says those services can include rental assistance, classes to help adults find jobs and daycare for children. Younger kids can attend daycare during the day; kids in school can go to the center after school until their parents come home from work.
"We bring the kids together to socialize, study, just to develop and grow," she says.
Williams says Interfaith Family Services already teaches STEM topics in its after school program. The addition of artificial intelligence can help both young people and parents learn how to use AI.
"We're teaching how to use AI responsibly, how to determine whether or not the information you're being provided is accurate or even healthy. Also we're teaching the importance of critical thinking, the importance of doing what AI can't do in terms of relationship building, in terms of being more emotionally intelligent that will allow you to interact more successfully," she says. "We're trying to teach those tangible skills, really how to react and interact in a way that will help you stand out with an employer or build your business."
For kids, she says learning about AI can help them avoid negative impacts like relying on artificial intelligence as a "shortcut" and relying on AI instead of learning to solve problems. She says part of the nonprofit's mission is to help kids build social skills so they can learn to collaborate.
She says the STEM workshops can also spark kids' interest in careers in science and technology that will be in demand when they grow up.
For adults, she says learning about AI can help them adjust to a changing job market. Since Interfaith Family Services works with low-income families, she says many people they work with are in danger of losing what income they have.
"So many front-line positions, whether it's a receptionist or customer service position, are being replaced by AI," she says.
She says their AI bootcamp can kids in high school prepare for the next part of their education and help adults learn to use artificial intelligence to their advantage. She says that can include learning how to communicate with AI and also troubleshoot when something goes wrong.
"We're teaching both how to use it responsibly but also how to make yourself an employee who is going to stand out in a way that companies are going to want to keep you around," she says.
More information is available here.
