Black Boys Code Waterloo - AI Solving Real-World Problems

Workshop Overview
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already shaping how we live, learn, and work, from the chatbots we talk to online, to facial recognition, smart assistants, and even self-driving cars. This hands-on workshop introduces students to real-world AI innovations and guides them to think critically about how these technologies work and who they impact.

In the Beginner Track, learners will discover the AI tools they already use every day and get a chance to build simple interactive bots in a safe, guided environment. In the Advanced Track, students will dig deeper into how AI systems are designed, explore the social and ethical questions surrounding them, and design problem-based AI solutions inspired by real community challenges.

By the end of the session, every participant will walk away with a stronger understanding of AI, practical skills they can build on, and a clearer picture of how they can be creators, not just consumers, of technology.

Beginner Track

Materials Required

• Beginner AI Student PowerPoint (provided)
• Internet-connected computer or laptop
• Notebook and pen/pencil for idea sketching

Beginner Track Learning Outcomes

By the end of the beginner session, students will be able to:

• Identify everyday AI
  Recognize common examples of AI in daily life (search engines, recommendation systems, voice assistants, photo filters, etc.) and describe what makes them “intelligent.”
• Understand how AI helps humans
  Explain how AI systems assist people in tasks like navigation, translation, fraud detection, health checks, and more, using simple real-world scenarios.
• Build and interact with simple AI/chatbots
  Take part in a guided activity to create or customize a basic chatbot/AI bot, learning how inputs, rules, and responses connect.
• Think critically about ethical AI
  Discuss age-appropriate examples of AI “gone wrong” (bias, unfair decisions, privacy concerns) and share ideas on how to use AI responsibly.
• Explore how AI is evolving
  Reflect on how AI is changing schools, work, and entertainment, and imagine future AI tools they might want to create or use.

Advanced Track

Materials Required

• Advanced AI Student PowerPoint (provided)
• Internet-connected computer or laptop
• Notebook for brainstorming and planning solutions

Advanced Track Learning Outcomes

By the end of the advanced session, students will be able to:

• Analyze key AI innovations and real use cases
  Examine real-world AI systems (e.g., medical diagnosis tools, autonomous vehicles, large language models) and describe their purpose, strengths, and limitations.
• Discuss social, ethical, and technical implications
  Explore questions around bias, data privacy, surveillance, job automation, and fairness, and practice forming informed opinions about responsible AI design.
• Develop prototype AI-inspired solutions
  Work in teams or individually to design a prototype concept (e.g., an AI app or system) that solves a real problem in their school, community, or the wider world, using clear inputs, outputs, and logic.
• Evaluate reliability and scalability
  Consider what makes an AI system trustworthy and scalable, data quality, testing, feedback loops, security, and apply these ideas when refining their solution.
• Explore future trends and opportunities in AI
  Discuss emerging directions such as AI in healthcare, climate action, education, and creative industries, and identify possible pathways to careers and further learning in AI and technology.

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Canada

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