The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), in collaboration with Cardiff Metropolitan University (CMU), UK, has secured a Gender Equality Partnership grant worth from the British Council to implement Girls in STEM Education for Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence, HerHCAI project.
The project will be jointly driven by the lead researcher Professor Olutayo Kehinde Boyinbode of the Department of Computer Science, FUTA and Dr. Omobolanle Omisade of CMU who co-won the grant.
The main aim of the project is to bridge the gender gap in STEM disciplines, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence (HCAI).
Professor Boyinbode who is a distinguished academic and researcher in Computer Science at FUTA, specializing in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is expected to lead other researchers to address biases in AI training data that often result in stereotypical and prejudiced content. Such biases can lead to disparities in education, employment, healthcare, and financial services, discouraging women’s participation in AI.
By leveraging FUTA’s expertise in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Machine Learning, and Ubiquitous Learning, the project will provide innovative insights on reducing gender bias, which is an area Professor Boyinbode has extensively promoted over the years, particularly on gender inclusion in STEM fields. CMU will complement this effort by developing gender-equal AI training materials while promoting skills development, ethical AI practices, and expertise among participants.
Through this global collaboration, the project will offer participants international exposure, mentorship opportunities, and skills development sessions.
FUTA scholars will engage with their UK counterparts, fostering cross-cultural exchanges and long-term research collaborations. Additionally, FUTA will contribute technological resources to develop gender-friendly AI learning modules, ensuring inclusivity in AI education and research.
The Gender Equality Partnerships grant is a significant step towards promoting gender equality in Nigeria and the UK. By specifically targeting women’s under-representation in AI and STEM with the aim to create an inclusive and diverse AI ecosystem.
The HerHCAI project will not only empower women but also ensure AI systems are fair, unbiased, and representative of diverse demographics.
Boyinbode’s leadership in the HerHCAI project underscores her dedication to fostering gender equality and technological innovation in AI education and research, giving that her research focuses on AI applications for societal development, and she has published extensively in international journals and conferences in this area.
Expressing her delight over the development, the Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, lauded the initiative, describing it as a groundbreaking step towards gender equality in STEM education. “This grant is a testament to the outstanding research capacity of FUTA and our commitment to promoting inclusivity in AI and STEM disciplines. We are immensely proud of Professor Boyinbode and her team for spearheading this important initiative, which will not only empower young women but also position FUTA as a leader in AI research and gender equality advocacy. FUTA remains dedicated to fostering innovation and excellence, and this collaboration with CMU is a remarkable milestone in our journey towards global impact,” she said.
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