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AI in the Classroom:

Empowering Girls

Dr Elpida Vounzoulaki

BSc(Hons), MSc, PhD, FHEA

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2026 Theme: “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls.”

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  • Women are underrepresented in scientific research worldwide.
  • ‘’In 2022, just 31.1% of researchers were women, highlighting persistent gender gaps in the field.’’
  • ‘’In cutting edge fields such as artificial intelligence, only 1 in 5 professionals (22%) is a woman.’’

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https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day

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Why aren’t more girls choosing

STEM careers?

  • Little to no role models
  • Gender stereotypes and attitudes
  • Lack of encouragement
  • Isolation and lack of belonging
  • Hostile environment and discrimination

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Copyright: © 2021 Mattel Inc.

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Then and Now

Margaret Hamilton: code that took

humans to the mood

Katie Bouman: data that generated the first black hole image

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https://www.unesco.org/en/virtual-science-museum/women-science?hub=196669

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Ada Lovelace

    • Imagining the Computer Before It Existed
    • The Analytical Engine - 1843
    • The world’s first computer programmer

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Alfred Edward CHALON

https://www.unesco.org/en/virtual-science-museum/women-science/ada-lovelace?hub=196669

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AI in Education

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Why education MUST change

  • Rapid technological changes
  • New skills demanded by employers
  • Teachers under pressure

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AI and Personalised Learning

How AI helps:

  • Adapts content to student level and pace
  • Identifies knowledge gaps early
  • Recommends targeted practice

Impact:

  • Students learn at the right speed
  • Less frustration, more engagement

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AI: Supporting – not replacing teachers

AI can:

  • Automate repetitive tasks
  • Generate lesson ideas and resources
  • Provide insights into student progress

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AI and Inclusion

AI supports:

  • Students with disabilities (speech-to-text, text-to-speech)
  • Language translation for multilingual students
  • Flexible learning

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Useful Skills in the era of AI

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    • Digital Literacy / Collaboration with AI tools
    • Programming skills (software)
    • Oral and written communication skills
    • Critical Thinking
    • Problem solving skills
    • Teamworking skills

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Thank you for your attention!