RAIL KNUST And Google Organises a Technical Workshop on Machine Learning and Interview Preparation

In partnership with Google Research Accra, the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) organised a technical workshop on Machine Learning and Interview Preparation on 24^th March 2023 at the Department of Computer Science Lab, KNUST. 

Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director, RAIL, said in his welcome address that RAIL focuses on building artificial intelligence capacity to respond to the demands of the fourth industrial revolution. He said capacity needs to be made to bridge the skill gap in AI to drive critical sectors of the economy. “Capacity is built through short courses and workshops like these,” he stated. 

He said the realisation of the RAIL Google workshop gives him great joy. “I trust that participants, either in person or online, will benefit from this important workshop because, beyond gaining skills in AI and Machine Learning, you also get to know the ins and outs of passing a Google interview with the Google team sharing their rich experiences with you,” he asserted. Finally, he encouraged everyone to participate in the workshop actively.

In his remarks, Prof. Ahmed Abdul-Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said that students are living in one of the best times ever in terms of opportunities available to them. He said it is easier to find a job today if one has the right and requisite skill set. He mentioned that what is required is for students to build their capacities and skill sets. “Gone are the days when we complain that there are no jobs; today, there are jobs but no workers,” he stressed. He said the faculty has had several companies contacting him for graduates with a specific skill set, and none could be found. He added that an opportunity like this should not be taken for granted.

Dr Emmanuel Ahene, Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, said it is not debatable that the world is rapidly changing, and we need to produce skilful and well-rounded individuals to solve the challenges faced in the country. He said the Department of Computer Science is happy to collaborate with RAIL to host this impactful workshop.  He mentioned that participants would be taken through Google mock interview sessions and exposed to the basic knowledge of machine learning as well.

Emmanuel Asiedu Frimpong, a Google Research team member, introduced Google Research Accra. He said the team focuses on developing African research talent and the innovation ecosystem. He said the team builds AI-powered solutions for global challenges and advances fundamental research. “One of the current research focuses on weather nowcasting in Africa, where accurate weather predictions are given in the present time,” he intimated.

Juliana T.C Marios, a Google Research Team member, introduced participants to the basics of Machine Learning. She said Machine Learning is a branch of Artificial Intelligence that aims to teach machines how to learn, similarly to humans, without being explicitly programmed. She said it involves using algorithms to extract functional patterns, adding that devices have the advantage of fast processing, large memory, consistency, reliability, and precision. 

Santiago Hincapie-Potes, a Mathematician with Google, took participants through the technical and practical sessions in Machine Learning. Participants were also taken through technical Google Interview sessions.

In his final remarks, Prof. Jerry John Kponyo stated that the difference between those who succeed and those who fail is what is done with the opportunities provided to both sides. He thanked the Google team for choosing to collaborate with RAIL KNUST. “This is the way to go, for academia and industry to work closely together to sharpen the skills of the youth so that they can be relevant to the demands of the industry,” he said. He hoped for more collaborative activities between RAIL and Google.

The Google team visited the RAIL lab after the workshop.