Edtech startup and e-learning platform Mindjoy is sponsoring schools to participate in an artificial intelligence (AI) hackathon valued at R25 000 per school.
The hackathon is a 90-minute competition where students are challenged to code an AI bot to “hack” their homework. Mindjoy has partnered with ten schools in Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal who are focused on preparing students for 4IR. Some of the most innovative schools with a coding, robotics or digital education focus include Parklands College, Somerset College, King David Linksfield, Worcester Gymnasium and St Peter’s College. Also scheduled are St Stithian’s and St Mary’s DSG Kloof. Virtual hackathons are also planned for schools in other African countries and in Europe later this year.
Founder and CEO Gabi Immelman says, “We aim to create inspiring projects that expose Gen Zers to the technology and skills required to thrive in the digital economy and 4IR.”
Schools are sponsored for a 90-minute event during which students are immersed in a world of code. This gives them the opportunity to learn with some of the most advanced AI technology in the world – GPT-3, created by OpenAI.
“The project was designed to get learners thinking about the possibilities of co-creating with AI, the power of learning coding, and the importance of engaging with technology in a mindful and safe way,” Immelman explains.
Co-creating with the AI, learners have explored how to get the AI to give creative outputs. This included tackling homework assignments ranging from writing essays about climate change to composing Shakespearean poems about Batman, and song lyrics about Minecraft.
“The project opens up really interesting conversations with the kids about originality, plagiarism and whether an AI can actually be creative. These are critical questions that the industry is still finding answers for, but we think it’s crucial that learners get to participate in these conversations. Their lifelong success depends on their ability to think critically about the technology which is shaping their present and future.”
Why is learning about AI important?
We interact with AI and machine learning every day, as we type messages, use social media apps, watch Netflix and stream music.
“Understanding these technologies will be a superpower,” Immelman says. “Those who have the ability to engage with technologies and understand them will have an advantage.”
Says Richard Knaggs, Director of Technology Innovation at Parklands College, in Table View, Cape Town, “We loved this idea, which is so relevant to the educational space. It really made our teachers think about what they are asking of our learners and opened up the opportunity to explore deeper questioning.”
“My learners loved taking part in the hackathon and learnt so much in a short space of time,” says Heidi Hudson-Bennett, HOD of Technology at Somerset College, a private school between Somerset West and Stellenbosch. “Watching them enthusiastically collaborate to solve real-time problems and come up with a solution was inspiring!”
Feedback from students is that while AI seemed intimidating at first, it wasn’t that difficult to master after all.
“I discovered that coding is not as difficult as I thought it would be. It was fun to figure out how to code the AI. When we figured out how to code it, it unlocked so many possibilities!” says a 13-year-old student* from the Western Cape.
A 12-year-old student* from the Western Cape sums it up: “I discovered AI can do some things which humans do – like homework! It was fun to see the essays, facts and poems we could write with the AI. It made me wonder about the future. Overall, it was super fun!”
Schools that would like to be considered for the sponsorship can sign up here or contact team@mindjoy.com.
*Children’s names have been withheld for their safety
