HerWILL, in collaboration with AI4OPT at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), successfully concluded its flagship program, AI for Equality 2024, which ran from October 11, 2024, to November 15, 2024. This transformative program had two dynamic components: four comprehensive workshops and a rigorous 10-day-long Datathon. Engaging participants from Syria, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, and the USA, the program reached over 826 registrants, promoting innovation, equity, and collaboration through Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

From October 11 to October 19, over 826 participants engaged in four transformative workshops, with 100 successfully graduating after completing all sessions. These workshops, led by globally recognised experts, provided a comprehensive learning experience and covered essential AI skills, from foundational programming to advanced applications.

Dr. Rabab Haider, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan, Post Doc Fellow at Georgia Tech, and Energy Fellow, MIT, delivered Python Essentials Unleashed, providing a robust programming foundation for AI enthusiasts. Dr. Reza Zandheshahvar and Thomas Bruys, researchers at Georgia Tech, led Advanced Text Processing in Python, delving into neural networks and machine learning techniques. Dr. Jin Xu, Researcher in AI+ Robotics, Georgia Tech, presented Understanding Large Language Models (LLMs), showcasing their transformative impact across industries such as healthcare and education. Lastly, Noor Mairukh Khan Arnob, Lecturer at the University of Asia Pacific, conducted Strategic Planning for the Datathon, laying out practical strategies for participants to excel in AI-driven projects.

The 10-day HerWILL AI for Equality Datathon, hosted on Kaggle from October 21 to October 31, challenged participants to solve real-world equity problems, particularly identifying gender bias in texts, using Data Science and AI. Out of 154 participants, 42 successfully submitted solutions, and the top six performers were shortlisted for the final presentation during the closing ceremony.

The jury for the Datathon included global experts from Harvard University, UC Berkeley, Purdue University, BRAC University, and Georgia Institute of Technology. They worked independently and collectively to select the competition winners, ensuring a transparent, unbiased evaluation process, free from interference by HerWILL.

The final presentations were evaluated by this distinguished panel, focusing on innovation, technical accuracy, and presentation quality. The top three winners were announced during the closing ceremony on November 15: Jawa Habib from Syria secured first place, followed by Raihan Chowdhury from Bangladesh in second place, and Neelima Preeti from Bangladesh in third place. 

The winners were awarded cash prizes, Google scholarships, and mentorship opportunities with HerWILL, empowering them to advance their journey in AI and Data Science.

This year's AI for Equality Datathon celebrated the beauty of a truly global initiative. Participants came from 171 universities across 20 countries, with the largest delegations from Syria, Egypt, the USA, India, and Bangladesh. The program promoted cross-cultural knowledge sharing, team building, and knowledge without boundaries, reflecting the core values of HerWILL. The Country Leaders—Dr. Ranya Amer and Dr. Aya Mohamed from Egypt, and Carol Zakhour from Syria—played pivotal roles in expanding outreach and engagement, promoting a spirit of inclusivity.

It was especially inspiring to witness participants from conflict regions and areas facing political and educational instability rise to the occasion with remarkable enthusiasm. Despite technical difficulties and challenging circumstances, their brilliance and resilience shone through, showcasing the unifying power of education, collaboration, and technology.

The program was supported by a team of 17 HerWILL members, led by Saiyara Mahmud, Raima Islam, and their research team, including Noor Mairukh Khan Arnob, Lecturer at the University of Asia Pacific. Their efforts were guided by Farhana Hasan, Founder and CEO of HerWILL, whose vision for inclusivity and innovation drove the program's success.

Participants also gained invaluable insights through mentorship provided by distinguished supervisors, including Sai Gattupalli, PhD Candidate at UMass Amherst; Azmine Toushik Wasi, AI Researcher specialising in Graph Neural Networks; Ahmad Mustafa Anis, AI Research Fellow at Fatima Fellowship; Araf Mustavi, Analyst at IDT Operations; and Scott Blender, PhD Student in Aerospace Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. These mentors played a crucial role in guiding participants throughout the program, enhancing their technical skills and project development.

HerWILL's AI for Equality 2024 highlights the power of collaboration and AI to create actionable solutions for global equity. For participants' engagement and participation, Global Climate Association, NSDC-UMASS, BUP Career Club, University of Chittagong Career Club, BUET Career Club, KUET Career Club, NSU Computer Engineering Club, and ULAB Computer Programming Club were the official collaborators of HerWILL AI for Equality.