The Futurlign AI Institute, a youth-run not-for-profit organization dedicated to the future of AI ethics and alignment, launched its inaugural AI Coding course in the University of Calgary, May 1–June 10. It is a free class designed to empower young minds with a comprehensive understanding of how AI functions, the importance of using it responsibly, and the challenges of AI with ever-increasing capabilities. The materials cover basic coding and statistical models as well as hands-on practice. The course is taught by a trio of high school champions from Alberta—winners in national mathematics, competitive programming, and science fair competitions who are also research interns in the University of Calgary. They imparted their knowledge and real-world experiences to 40 enthusiastic junior-high students over 6 weeks of engaging, in-person interactive sessions.
Qixuan Ding, founder of Futurlign AI, said, “The evolution of AI and progress surrounding its development has been nothing short of remarkable, and this trend has no signs of stopping anytime soon. Along with the immense prosperity promised by this technology are challenges relating to its usage and how AI fundamentally works, particularly the issue of aligning AI with human values.” The curriculum is carefully crafted to cover not only basic coding techniques but also to provide a broad overview of AI's current and future developments. This holistic approach ensures that students not only learn the technical skills required for AI but also develop a deep appreciation for its impact and potential. Through the 6-week program, Futurlign provides confidence to younger generation and inspires them to continue exploring the field of AI.
Evan Li, cofounder of Futurlign and instructor for the AI course, mentioned, “I believe that accessible information on AI will be paramount for the next generation. While many people know and use AI tools such as ChatGPT, very few are thinking about future sustainability or ethics implications. We must empower youth to shape the future of AI responsibly.”
Zhou Long, also cofounder and instructor, noted, “Personally, I have used machine learning libraries in several projects including winning science fair and hackathon projects. Given these experiences I wanted to share my knowledge with other enthusiastic students which is why I took part in this course.”
Hosted at the Taylor Family Digital Library, University of Calgary, the course utilizes hands-on active learning techniques to ensure a dynamic educational experience. Participants gained a fundamental understanding of AI's evolution, key milestones, and insights into its future trajectory.
A student, Elliot, commented, “Your course was well-taught, allowing me to understand the material better. You also provided challenges which allowed me to think deeper into the problem.” Eric, another student, was thrilled to share, “Greatly enjoyed it. Learned loads of useful stuff!” Jack, another student echoed, “The talks gave a lot of information and were nicely interactive. I had fun.”
Karena, a parent of an attendee commented, “I am very grateful to Futurlign AI and the instructors who provided such an excellent opportunity for my kid to learn AI. I am eagerly looking forward to the future events organized by them.”
Futurlign is committed to offering similar courses regularly, aiming to enhance the comprehension of AI coding and its ethical integration into society, both locally and globally. Through these courses, we strive to foster a well-informed community that appreciates AI's capabilities and challenges.
If you or someone else is interested in summer workshops offered by Futurlign, you can find more information on their website, futurlign.org, and socials.
Zhou Long
Westmount Charter School & University of Calgary, SSC student member