FemAILab - Open Lab for Artificial Intelligence for Woman

The primary aim of the project was to give women a playful and fear-free introduction to AI applications. This was intended to promote the further digital training of women in order to bridge the ...

The primary aim of the project was to give women a playful and fear-free introduction to AI applications. This was intended to promote the further digital training of women in order to bridge the digital gender gap at local and European level and reduce the shortage of skilled workers, particularly in the IT sector. Another key concern was the establishment of new, adaptive learning formats for lifelong learning and the improvement of the skills of teachers in adult education. Women were to be encouraged and empowered to become AI entrepreneurs and promote the democratisation of work processes by strengthening their market positions and bringing female perspectives to digital innovations. In addition, FemAILab was intended to provide a space for critical engagement with the ethical aspects of AI and strengthen the role of ‘citizen developers.’ The promotion of local learning centres and innovative learning spaces was also an important goal. Overall, the project was intended to help integrate the benefits of AI into many life and work processes and increase women's autonomy.

The project comprised five work packages: WP1 Project management: This included coordinating the project, including regular online and face-to-face meetings, defining objectives and monitoring the budget. WP2 Design of the FemAILab: This involved designing the learning setting and content for the FemAiLab. This included setting timetables, learning structures (based on, for example, Working Out Loud, LernOS) and selecting relevant AI tools. WP3 FemAILab pilot run: This was the practical implementation, in which the FemAILab was piloted in both partners' facilities. It included planning, participant recruitment, material preparation, and the implementation and supervision of the learners. WP4 Evaluation and documentation: In this phase, the experiences of the pilot run were reflected upon and evaluated, the design was adapted for continuation, and a guide for implementing a FemAiLab was developed in German and English. WP5 Dissemination of project results: Here, the project results and activities were communicated through various channels, e.g. social media, own websites, the Erasmus+ project results platform, as well as at conferences and in local/national networks.

Key outputs: - Design of FemAILab as a flexible learning framework: A novel framework for collaborative and co-creative learning that incorporates elements from Working Out Loud (WOL) and SCRUM was created, tested and adapted. - FemAILab Guide: A comprehensive description of the learning framework, its building blocks and functions, including a curriculum for a 10-week implementation. - Accompanying learning aids: These include the Learning Journey Canvas for tracking individual learning goals, the Backlog_Sprintlog Canvas for activity planning, and a collection of AI tools and tips for prompting. Project results per work package: - Project management (WP1): Trello board, meeting minutes. - Design of the FemAILab (WP2): Detailed concept for learning settings and content that can respond to individual needs and dynamic AI developments. - Pilot runs (WP3): Implementation of the FemAILab in both partner countries. - Evaluation & documentation (WP4): Completed participant evaluation forms. - Dissemination (WP5): Publications on social media, on the partners' websites, at conferences and in local/national networks.