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Members of the AI Research Group and the Education Research Group from the Faculty of Science (PMF) in Split recently supported another initiative to popularize science and education. This event showcased various activities for students participating in the STeam project, who presented their work inspired by these initiatives.

Celebrating Student Creativity

In a theater setting, students captivated a full audience with skits, presentations, and videos. They creatively combined dance with AI, sustainability, technology and emotions, science in sports, smart cities, and even cosmetics. This display highlighted the importance of encouraging young minds to adopt and apply knowledge, as they are always ready to question and push the boundaries of what is known.

Collaboration for Success

The success of this event was made possible through the collaboration of various experts and institutions. Researchers from the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, in partnership with the City of Split and A1 Hrvatska, led the A1 STEMfemme Junior project, aimed at encouraging girls towards STEM careers. However, the activities were inclusive of boys as well. The project’s impact is a testament to the dedicated teamwork with school teachers, university staff, and many enthusiasts who have systematically worked on popularizing science and technology for years.

The Role of AI Compile and Digital Dalmatia

Scientists from AI Compile once again demonstrated their indispensable role in education and AI-related activities. Their long-term commitment to popularizing the IT sector and education, in collaboration with Digital Dalmatia of the Split-Dalmatia County, has been ongoing for seven years. This sustained effort underscores the university’s and research group’s correct approach in fostering a tech-savvy and knowledgeable society through such initiatives.

Conclusion

The recent event not only highlighted the integration of AI and STEM in education but also showcased the power of collaboration and sustained effort in inspiring the next generation. By supporting and encouraging young students, these initiatives play a crucial role in building a knowledgeable and forward-thinking society.

On May 22nd, the Center for Human Rights Research and Education organized a workshop titled “Artificial Intelligence and Personal/Social Responsibility.” Led by Professor Dr. Saša Mladenović and Associate Professor Dr. Marita Brčić Kuljiš, the event discussed about AI’s role in creativity and education, as well as its ethical implications.

AI and Creativity

A key discussion focused on AI’s ability to be “creative”. The experts debated whether AI can genuinely create or if it merely replicates patterns from data. This raised important questions about the nature of creativity and the capabilities of generative models in producing art, music, and literature.

AI in Education

The workshop also explored AI’s impact on education. AI technologies are enhancing personalized learning, intelligent tutoring, and administrative tasks. While these advancements promise improved learning outcomes and accessibility, they also bring ethical concerns such as data privacy and algorithmic bias.

Ethical and Societal Responsibility

The event concluded with reflections on the ethical challenges of AI. The speakers emphasized the need for responsible AI development that aligns with human values and avoids increasing social inequalities. They called for interdisciplinary collaboration to navigate AI’s complex landscape responsibly.

Final Thoughts

The workshop and later discussion highlighted AI’s transformative potential in all fields including education and the importance of ethical considerations in its development and use. As AI continues to evolve, fostering a culture of responsibility and ethical awareness is crucial to ensure a future where technology benefits all of humanity.

The halls of PICS@ FESB resonated with the sounds of accomplishment and the bright future of technology. The JUNIOR Dev React program, a beacon of free professional education, marked its grand finale with a ceremony honoring the hard work and dedication of its participants.

The third generation of this esteemed program began in February, with a rigorous selection process that narrowed down 140 candidates to 73 eager learners, divided into four groups. Over six weeks of interactive lectures, these students mastered the intricacies of React, guided by seasoned experts from the AI Compile team, Goran Zaharija as well as Ante Bartulović, Lovre Trogrlić, and Luka Smolčić

Damir Brčić, the leader of Digital Dalmatia, expressed his gratitude to FESB and Locastic for their partnership and support, as well as to Split Tech City for media coverage. He emphasized the importance of equipping young talents with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age.

A panel discussion featuring industry leaders Antonio Perić-Mažar (Locastic), Suzana Špika (Postindustria), and Goran Škugor (Ericsson Nikola Tesla) provided valuable insights into the job market and the opportunities for young developers. They unanimously agreed on one thing – persistence is key. With technology rapidly evolving, so does the job market landscape.

The event concluded with the distribution of diplomas and a networking session, celebrating the successful completion of the program and the acquisition of new skills. Digital Dalmatia continues to play a pivotal role in developing the local IT scene and opening new career opportunities.

As we look forward to the future, AI Compile members remain committed to supporting and strengthening the local IT community and fostering innovation in the region.

Members of the Artificial Intelligence research group, Dino Nejašmić, Antonela Prnjak, and Nika Jerković, hosted students from Dobri Primary School who are participating in the StemFemme project. The students were accompanied by their teacher Kristina Vladić and pedagogue Iris Didić-Mužić. The goal of the project is to engage girls in the STEM field.

The event, held at the Faculty of Science, included workshops demonstrating the reasoning processes of intelligent systems and presenting intelligent agents (robots). The activities showcased how to connect technology with creative activities to foster children’s emotional development and expression.

The success and immediacy of the approach were evident in the working atmosphere, where students shared their views on technology and its impact on creativity by proposing their own solutions. This event once again demonstrates how activities initiated by the Science Festival continue to develop and take place throughout the year.

Through these engaging workshops, the students experienced firsthand how technology can be integrated with creativity to inspire and nurture their interest in STEM. This initiative highlights the ongoing commitment to fostering a passion for science and technology among young minds, particularly encouraging girls to explore and thrive in these fields.

The EDIT conference, held at the PMF in Split, was a vibrant event that brought together educators, school directors, experts, and representatives from educational institutions. The focus was on shaping the future of education through digital technologies and lifelong learning programs.  Members of the Artificial Intelligence research group from the Faculty of Science, Split, including Divna Krpan, Goran Zaharija, and Saša Mladenović, played a significant role in organizing the event, contributing their expertise to the conference’s success.

Highlights of the EDIT Conference

Digital Skills Development: The conference emphasized the importance of acquiring digital skills for students, which is essential for success in a rapidly advancing technological world.

EDIT CodeSchool Success: Over the past seven years, EDIT CodeSchool has offered free programming courses in over 30 primary and secondary schools in the Split-Dalmatia County, with more than 3000 children enrolled.

Innovative Projects: The conference showcased outstanding EDIT projects like JUNIOR Dev React, JUNIOR Dev Express, and the AI Hands-On Workshop, culminating in the announcement of the EDIT CodeSchool winners.

Keynote Speakers and Their Messages

Damir Brčić: The leader of Digital Dalmatia highlighted the goal of fostering lifelong learning and introducing innovations in the educational process to make learning more accessible to new generations.

Panel Discussion: The panel discussion featured Davor Aničić, founder of “Velebit AI”, Gordan Radobolja, Vice Dean for Education at PMF Split, Saša Mladenović, a full professor at PMF, and Ivan Biliškov, director of “Codeasy”.

Key Points:

• The panelists emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) will not replace teachers or students.
• They discussed the importance of being creators and controllers of AI technologies to excel in global competition.
• Ivan Biliškov concluded by saying, “We must be aware that we control our own destiny. We should not be mere users, but creators and individuals who know how to manage AI if we want to be better than others, or rather, the best.”

This session highlighted the crucial role of AI in education and the workforce, and the need for individuals to develop skills to leverage AI effectively.

Recognizing Excellence

The conference recognized the best EDIT projects and outstanding works by students from primary and secondary schools. Projects like the “Yolo” algorithm for vehicle detection and tracking, and various web development initiatives demonstrated the talent and creativity of the participants.

The Future of Education

The EDIT conference aimed to encourage dialogue on best practices, challenges, and opportunities presented by the integration of digital tools into education. It highlighted the importance of continuous improvement of digital skills and the role of teachers in adapting programs to meet the needs of students in their local communities.

By fostering a collaborative environment and showcasing innovative projects, the EDIT conference underscored the importance of preparing the next generation for a future where digital literacy and technological proficiency are paramount.

The working group dedicated to enhancing science communication within the SEA-EU alliance held a productive meeting at the Nord University Bodø campus on May 7th and 8th.

Nord University became a member of the SEA-EU alliance in January 2023, expanding the initial six-member alliance to nine universities. The SEA-EU alliance offers a remarkable opportunity for ambitious and impactful initiatives in improving communication and collaboration within the scientific community in a broader societal context.

The highlight of this meeting was the presentation of best practices in science communication through selected projects from each university within the alliance. Participants had the opportunity to showcase the diversity of approaches to science communication and the specific contexts in which each university operates.

For the selected project, participants were required to explain why it was chosen as an example of good practice in scientific communication, describe how scientific communication is conducted, how evaluation is carried out, and how its impact on society is monitored.

The second day of the working meeting began with a presentation of key ideas gathered from the presented best practice examples, followed by the drafting of a working version of a document to ensure the quality of scientific communication.

Despite the increasing prevalence of online meetings, this event demonstrated the irreplaceable nature of in-person meetings in exchanging ideas and communication methods, despite all the technical possibilities of holding meetings in a virtual environment.

As an example of good practice, Saša Mladenović from the University of Split chose activities related to popularization conducted through the recently concluded Science Festival. We are pleased to note that the University recognizes and promotes the development of society and collaboration with local authorities for the benefit of society as a whole through its strategic documents. Through this group, we have the opportunity to further raise awareness of the good practice of scientific communication that the University of Split has been implementing for years and introduce innovations based on the good practices of SEA-EU alliance members.

This meeting was a step forward in establishing collaboration and exchanging experiences among SEA-EU alliance members in the field of science communication, aiming to promote knowledge and contribute to societal development at both local and global levels.

On Monday, May 6th, in anticipation of St. Duje’s Day, Dobri School organized a rich program of activities open to everyone. It was a perfect opportunity for students to have fun, learn something new, and spend time with friends and classmates. The teachers designed activities such as learning through play, storytelling, pub quizzes, astronomy sessions, and poetry workshops. The atmosphere was relaxed and stimulating, with students enjoying interactive lessons, exploring new ideas, and expressing themselves through creative activities.

The research group “AI Compile” also joined these activities with a workshop on robotics and artificial intelligence.

Students from the 2b class, along with their teacher Ana Jelavić, had the unique opportunity to work with the educational robot NAO. The activities were led by Assistant Professor Dr. Goran Zaharija and Assistant Nika Jerković from the Department of Informatics, who introduced students to various interactive tasks. The students had fun with games like day/night, animal recognition, and solving math problems, all with the assistance and guidance of the NAO robot.

The joyful atmosphere was evident as everyone ended the day dancing with the robot! Through these activities, students got a hands-on and enjoyable introduction to the basics of robotics, artificial intelligence, and programming. The leaders also organized a discussion session where students could share their thoughts and ask questions about robots and artificial intelligence. This workshop allowed them to creatively and engagingly explore new technologies and develop their interests in the STEM field.

We look forward to the next meeting with the students from Dobri School!