Empowering Developing Communities through Innovative Technologies (EDU-Tech), led by Prof. Salah Obayya, aimed to equip non-technical participants with foundational AI knowledge and practical skills for real-world applications. The project delivered five hands-on workshop modules covering AI basics, machine learning, neural networks, deep learning, and applied projects, repeated for three groups over three consecutive Saturdays in August 2025. A total of 150 participants—spanning academia, healthcare, law, finance, education, and creative industries—benefited, with ~55% female representation. Interactive sessions, case studies, and live projects, including building an AI-based image recognition system, enhanced engagement and confidence. Participants reported improved understanding (~80%+) and interest in follow-up programs. Sustainability measures included digital resources, recorded sessions, and capacity-building of participants to cascade knowledge. The project fostered cross-sector collaboration, inclusive learning, and seeded long-term AI capacity-building within communities in Egypt and the wider region.
"Leading the EDU-Tech project was deeply rewarding, as it enabled inclusive, hands-on AI capacity-building across diverse communities, leading to accessible, sustainable technology education for long-term societal impact." - Prof Salah