Founder of Cakeflair and alumna of the Department of Biology, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Juliet Aigbe popularly known as Chef Juls has asserted that artificial intelligence (AI) will optimize jobs rather than eliminate them, contrary to common fears.
She made this statement while speaking at an event organized by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), UNILAG Chapter in partnership with Lagos State Education District IV in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child on Friday, October 11, 2024.
The event, aimed at empowering secondary school girls through AI education and promoting inclusion in the rapidly evolving field of technology, was held at the Faculty of Science Boardroom, UNILAG. It had in attendance female secondary school students, their tutors, members of the OWSD and university community.
In her presentation which ended with a live baking session of a cake based on an AI-generated recipe, Chef Juls explained that AI has increased her efficiency as a baker and helped her develop new exciting recipes, earning her several awards. She pointed out ways entrepreneurs in the confectionery industry can effectively use artificial intelligence.
While advocating the use of domestic grains like millet in bread-making, Chef Juls shared her innovations in the confectionery industry. This includes her creation of the millet bread to reduce the nation’s dependency on imported wheat, elevate the value of African grains, and enhance staple foods with better nutrition to help end hunger.
Similarly, a keynote address titled: Tapping into AI Education to Inspire Inclusion for Secondary School Girls was delivered by an expert in Cybersecurity Law and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Commercial Law, Faculty of Law, UNILAG, Dr. Adekemi Omotubora.
Dr. Omotubora envisioned a future of education in Africa where students and educators leverage AI to address real-world problems in agriculture, healthcare, and finance, shaping a future based on local needs. She also pointed out the importance of inclusive AI, inclusive design, and ways female secondary school students can fit into this envisioned future.
Six secondary schools in Education District IV, Lagos State, jazzed up the event with their innovative project presentations centered on the theme: Inspire Inclusion. These projects were the culmination of a two-week Artificial Intelligence Training for High School Girls, organized by OWSD UNILAG in collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Lab (AIRLAB), UNILAG. The training began on Friday, September 27, 2024, and concluded with the project presentations. Participants were drawn from:
- Ajigbeda Girls Senior High School,
- Lagos City Senior College,
- New Era Girls’ Secondary School,
- Obele Community Senior High School,
- Wesley Girls’ High School, and
- Zumratul Islamiyyah Senior High School.
At the end of the intense presentation, Wesley Girls’ High School carted home the first prize with its presentation on AI and vocational training tools (88%), followed closely by Obele Community Senior High School with its presentation on using AI for effective flood management (85%) and Ajidegba Girls Senior High School with its presentation on using AI for effective waste management (74%).
The event also featured brief speeches by the Coordinator of OWSD, UNILAG Branch, Prof. Aderonke Samuel; representative of the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Head, Department of Computer Science, Dr. Chika Yinka-Banjo; short quiz for the secondary school participants which was won by Ajidegba Girls Senior High School; presentation of gifts to the speakers and Head, Education District IV, Mrs. Fowosere as well as awards to the quiz and project presentations winners.
The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) is an international organization founded in 1987. It is a programme unit of UNESCO based at the offices of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Trieste, Italy. OWSD unites eminent women scientists from the developing and developed worlds with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership.
The United Nations instituted October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child on December 19, 2011, to highlight the rights and unique challenges of girls around the world, annually. The theme for the year 2024 is Girls’ Vision for the Future. It conveys the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future.
Report: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Photographs: Samuel Dosumu
