SpikeUp AI’s Post

This week, in our network spotlight series, we feature MIT ReACT (an initiative of Emerging Talent) 🙌. They develop global education programs that target the needs of talented individuals from the most challenging economic and social circumstances by equipping them with the knowledge and tools to advance their education and careers. Emerging Talent expands upon the efforts of the MIT Refugee Action Hub (ReACT), which has offered its Certificate in Computer and Data Science to over 200 learners from displaced backgrounds in its 5-year history.    We asked them to describe Niya x Emerging Talent collaboration, and here's their response:   "➡️ Our learners greatly appreciate Niya's work, as it offers them a platform to access free educational resources and training, a space to network and collaborate with others, and, most importantly, a career platform that enables them to find customised professional opportunities in the tech field. ➡️ Niya has been a participant organization of the 2 editions of the Migration Summit, and the events they have hosted have been key to foster insightful conversations around economic inclusion for refugee communities."   Keep an eye on the stories that follow, and get in touch with [email protected] if you want to partner with us 🙌   #SDG17 #opportunitiesforall #equality #refugees #disadvantaged #diverse

I am both humbled and elated to be mentioned in this celebratory post marking the graduation of 1,000 digital professionals from our StepUp.One program. Our journey from adversities to opportunities exemplifies the indomitable human spirit and the power of resilience. We started StepUp.One with a clear vision - to obliterate wealth inequality through education, opportunity, and access. Today's milestone not only brings us closer to this vision but is also a testament to the extraordinary potential that lies within each of these individuals, irrespective of their circumstances. At StepUp.One, we believe that intellectual prowess is no monopoly of circumstances, and barriers can only limit us if we let them. This philosophy underpins our commitment to democratizing wealth in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We are striving to equip refugees with marketable skills and then deploying them at scale to aid global executives and businesses. We are redefining the power of the Platform Economy - building brands, expanding personal networks, generating outcomes, and most importantly, creating an impact that transcends beyond conventional measures. Our methodology is simple, yet powerful. It revolves around understanding the needs of our clients, crafting compelling narratives, leveraging trusted sources, creating original content, and cultivating meaningful conversations that lead to tangible outcomes. Seeing our program graduates ready to transform industries and create ripples of change is profoundly rewarding. However, our work is far from done. We have set ourselves an audacious goal - to reskill 1 million refugees. Today, we are one step closer to this goal, one step closer to making wealth a democratized commodity. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our graduates and express my gratitude to everyone who has supported this journey. Let's continue to empower lives, build inclusive economies, and take steps that matter to humanity. Here's to the amplified human potential! 🕺 💪

And that's a wrap! I had an amazing time attending the WE Value Partnership Final Forum in association with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada / Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada, the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, and the University of Windsor to discuss learnings from establishing an AI assistance system to develop a rapid response leveraging newcomers’ pathway to settlement through our AI- and NLP-based solutions. Our teams shared how and why we arrived at our solutions and had productive discussions on how AI might be used in the future to help aid settlement. We acknowledged the work of caseworkers, and I learned a lot about their day-to-day lives. I also got the chance to catch up with my colleagues, classmates, supervisor, professors and other people who were instrumental in my academic and professional journey here in Canada. Fun fact: I have never seen some of them in person before because our team was fully-remote! The most heartwarming part of this was the acknowledgement and praise I received for the work I have done in building the final natural language-based AI from my team and other stakeholders involved in the project. I was also happy to hear from our system's end-users how excited they are and can't wait to start using what we have built. It fills my heart with pride and joy to see how my work will be used to aid future newcomers to Canada, newcomers just like I once was. When I first came to Canada, I did not know how to get support or did not have a settlement AI suggesting actions I should take to make my stay easier, and had to do everything on my own. It feels surreal that the product I built would be instrumental in helping thousands, if not millions, of potential newcomers to the beautiful country of Canada we all call home. There is no better feeling than being able to say that I walked so that others after me could run. I am also proud of my entire team at the University of Windsor and external stakeholders at the YMCA, WE Value, and the IRCC, who worked odd hours and, despite numerous hurdles, managed to bring our ideas to fruition. I have seen first-hand how difficult it was, but they all faced the odds and brought something amazing to life, something that would potentially help newcomers for decades to come. Now that our project is almost live, I am available for full-time employment opportunities. If you are or know anyone looking for someone with expertise in building ML and natural language AI models, analytics, data science, data engineering, or software development, I invite you to consider my candidacy. Feel free to connect for any opportunities, or just to talk. Pictured (left to right): Kamonashish Saha, AKSHAY GOPAN, Lida Mirzaei, Achini Herath, Dr. Ziad Kobti, Lama Khalil, MSc-AI, Faraz Naseem, me, Reem Al-Saidi, Farrah Nakhaie, PhD, and Matthew Dunlop.

After concluding our Annual #futureofwork Summit dedicated to critical reflections and proactive solutions to shape a future where #technology empowers and #migration enriches our societies, we are honoured to join and be part of the Migration Summit committed to: 🚀🔓Unlocking and Engaging Talent: Pathways for Dignified Work 🗓️ 24 - 28 June: https://lnkd.in/eSqvrvPB Join us for a week of virtual and in-person events curated Na'amal, MIT ReACT (an initiative of Emerging Talent) Karam Foundation and a global network of dedicated individuals and organizations working in the field, with three fundamental goals: 🎯Shift mindsets about the positions displaced individuals should occupy in the #jobmarket, promoting a more #inclusive and diverse perspective. 🎯 Spark actions by encouraging individuals, businesses, and organizations to take tangible steps towards creating #opportunities for displaced individuals in the workforce. 🎯Develop a resource platform and bank of materials for career training and pathways, providing practical support and guidance for #migrants and #refugees seeking #employment. See you there!

🌟 Exciting News from Our Latest Interview! 🌟 I had an enlightening conversation with Celina Lee, co-founder and CEO of Zindi , on the latest episode of Business Africa. 🌍 Celina shared groundbreaking insights into a pivotal new partnership between Microsoft Africa and Zindi, aimed at bridging the digital skills gap across Africa. 🔗 Key Highlights from the Interview: 🛠️ A Year-long Partnership: Microsoft Africa and Zindi, the leading African community for AI, have announced a transformative year-long collaboration. This initiative is set to advance AI upskilling across the continent, equipping a new generation of tech-savvy young Africans with essential digital skills for the future workforce. 🌍 Addressing the Skills Gap: The partnership aims to reach 10,000 young people, offering critical digital skills training in cloud computing, AI, machine learning, and analytics. Celina emphasized the importance of connecting Zindi's community with valuable certifications and courses from Microsoft to build a robust skill set. 📈 Economic Impact: Celina highlighted the rapid developments in AI and the increasing global demand for AI skills. Africa, with its fastest-growing working-age population, presents a unique opportunity. While AI might pose a risk to certain jobs, it simultaneously creates high-value opportunities, enabling young Africans to contribute to both local and global economies. 🌟 A Level Playing Field: One of the most inspiring points Celina made was about the leveling of the playing field. With just one year of dedicated upskilling, young Africans can become competitive on a global scale, breaking away from the traditional low-skilled job market stereotype. 🤖 Responsible AI Development: Celina stressed the importance of developing AI solutions responsibly and sustainably, in alignment with local values and priorities. Ensuring diverse representation in AI development is crucial to avoid widening the digital divide and to realize AI's promise of positively impacting lives. 🎙️ Final Thoughts: This partnership marks a significant milestone in Africa's digital education landscape, heralding a new era of technological advancement and job creation. We're excited to see the positive ripple effects this collaboration will bring across the continent. 📢 Join the Conversation: How do you see AI upskilling initiatives shaping the future of Africa's workforce? Share your thoughts and let’s continue this important discussion! 📺 Watch the full episode here: https://t.ly/AGhCF Africanews Euronews #AI #DigitalSkills #Africa #Microsoft #Zindi #TechForGood #FutureOfWork #Upskilling #Innovation #ResponsibleAI #EconomicGrowth

#5thVPLBiennale concurrent sessions are underway, plenty to choose from with a wide array of really interesting topics designed to explore critical aspects of #VPL across various areas and industries. Each session aims to address unique challenges and opportunities in the VPL /RPL landscape, featuring insights from guest experts. Sessions Include: Skills: Hear from Charlotte Troelsen and Mette Bech on the transitions of Mature-aged Students into New Careers through Welfare Professions, a vital discussion on career evolution. Individual: Wendy Cato questions if Traditional Recognition Systems are Hiding Talent Pools that could ease skills shortages, a critical analysis of current practices. Policy Development: @Elisabeth Bøe and @Julie Løvseth will outline efforts in Building VPL Capacity in the Norwegian Education System, offering a blueprint for policy integration. Mobility: Timo Halttunen and Anni Karttunen discuss Asset Mapping for Diverse Social and Cultural Capital in the Tourism Industry, highlighting the value of diverse experiences. Empowering Immigrants & Refugees: Charlotte Nitardy, Ph.D. and Mary Beth Lakin share insights from The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System Experience on VPL's role in enhancing opportunities for immigrants and refugees. Labour Market Integration: @Per Andersson on Understanding RPL as a Tool for Labour Market Integration, a session focusing on the strategic benefits of RPL. Work Experience Validation: Ruud Duvekot @Irma Kolkman, and @Madeleine Farla present a Learner-friendly VPL-process from NCOI University of Applied Sciences showcasing practical applications. National RPL Approaches: Andrina Wafer and Jim Murray explore Scaffolding Organic Traditions Systemically, a critical look at national strategies. Design and Democracy: Deb Carr presents Measuring Democracy in Design, a fascinating study on skills recognition for migrants and refugees. Gen AI in VPL: Dr Carina Ginty and Gavin Clinch demonstrate the Potential of Gen AI to Support Individual Validation at Atlantic Technological University.

In the age of rapid digitalization, the potential to transform the lives of refugees through technology is immense. By equipping refugee communities with digital tools and literacy, we can open doors to remote employment, educational resources, and global connectivity. The digital realm offers an egalitarian platform where their voices can be heard and their skills showcased, unhindered by geographical and socio-political barriers. Collaborative efforts between tech companies, NGOs, and policymakers can create tailored programs that address the unique challenges faced by refugees. Initiatives like online language courses, coding bootcamps, and digital entrepreneurship training can pave the way for refugees to become active contributors to the digital economy. Let's commit to integrating these resilient communities into the digital world, harnessing technology as a catalyst for empowerment and inclusion. #DigitalInclusion #RefugeeEmpowerment #TechForGood #DigitalLiteracy #InclusiveTechnology

Discovering how AI has completely transformed the way I approach refugee crises has been an eye-opening experience. It's incredible to see how AI is creating a brighter future for those seeking refuge, breaking down the barriers of knowledge. In my own journey, I've been particularly touched by the way AI is revolutionizing education for refugees, ensuring they have access to quality learning and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. I've witnessed firsthand the disrupted lives and shattered dreams that many refugees face, but what truly inspires me is the resilience they demonstrate when combined with the power of AI. Together, refugees and AI can mend the broken pieces, and in their unity, they radiate hope and possibility. One question that's been on my mind is whether AI-driven solutions can provide more efficient and compassionate responses to the intricate challenges refugees face worldwide.? I wholeheartedly invite you to join me in this personal journey of embracing the unison of refugees and AI. Together, we can pave the way for a future defined by unity, compassion, and limitless possibilities! 🌟🌎✊ #RefugeesAndAI #UnleashingUntappedPotential #BuildingABridge

ENGin team had the incredible opportunity to attend #TechCrunchDisrupt2023 We were deeply inspired by Jen Carter, Head of Tech & Volunteering at Google.org and the founder of the #GoogleOrgFellowship. Her talk touched on a range of issues, from healthcare in the US to the war in Ukraine, and we couldn't help but see the parallels with our own mission. 🌐 👩⚕️ Healthcare.gov: Google's work on Healthcare.gov resonated deeply with us as we develop ENGin for Doctors. 🤖 AI & Mental Health: Google's use of generative AI to train Trevor Project staff is a game-changer for mental health support, especially as we think about mental health support for Ukrainian veterans. 🌱 CottonACE & Open-Source Tech: Google's CottonACE initiative is helping farmers make informed decisions about pesticide use, showcasing the power of open-source technology and sharing tech for greater good. 📲 Tech during Ukraine War: More than 7 million people have fled Ukraine, and Google has partnered with the IRC and United for Ukraine to build an app that simplifies access to crucial information for refugees. 🗣️ ENGin's Role in Ukraine: At ENGin, we're connecting Ukrainians with people globally for conversational English practice, mentorship, and cultural exchange. Many global resources are in English, and by bringing English to more Ukrainians, we're expanding their access to these vital resources. 🌐 Tech Companies Unite: Jen Carter's talk reaffirmed our belief that when tech companies come together, we can tackle global challenges head-on. We're inspired and motivated to continue our work in empowering individuals through language and mentorship. Let's continue to use technology as a force for good to end the war, to help the people, and to make a meaningful impact. 🌍💙 #TechCrunch #Google #NonProfit #Innovation #Ukraine #Refugees #IRC #UnitedForUkraine #ENGin #GlobalGood #TechForGood #GoogleOrgFellowship