Workshops: Learning & Advocacy in Action
Explore our past workshops covering topics including AI harms, gender disparities in technology, and algorithmic bias. Our sessions, led by experts and student advocates, provide insights, practical tools, and action-oriented discussions to drive meaningful change. We have held over 20 informative workshops around AI policy and gender equity, and are excited to be working on more.
Featured Workshop | Aug 8th, 2024
In Conversation with Professor Thomas Grist: Algorithmic Bias in Medicine
On August 8th 2024, Professor Thomas Grist of the University of Washington at Madison hosted a two-hour, virtual Girls for Algorithmic Justice workshop alongside student advocate Shreya Ramesh. Dr. Grist is a renowned expert in medical imaging and artificial intelligence, with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. He serves as a professor in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his research focuses on the intersection of AI and healthcare, particularly in improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing biases in medical imaging technologies.
​
During the workshop, Dr. Grist provided an in-depth analysis of algorithmic bias in medicine, explaining how AI-driven diagnostic tools can reinforce racial and gender disparities in healthcare. He highlighted case studies demonstrating how biased training data has led to misdiagnoses, unequal treatment recommendations, and disparities in access to care—issues that disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities.
Student advocate Shreya Ramesh complemented the discussion by sharing insights from a youth advocacy perspective, emphasizing the need for diverse datasets, ethical AI development, and stronger accountability measures in medical AI systems. The interactive session included a live Q&A, where participants engaged in discussions on the ethical implications of AI-driven healthcare, the role of policymakers, and strategies to push for more equitable AI applications in medicine.
​
The full workshop slides are available below, along with additional resources, including recommended readings, advocacy toolkits, and case studies on algorithmic bias in healthcare.
​
Featured Workshop | Fall 2024
Elementary School Workshops: Basics of AI!
During Fall 2024, we partnered with local elementary schools to host a series of engaging, hands-on workshops introducing young students to the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These sessions were designed to make complex AI concepts accessible to children, fostering curiosity and critical thinking about the technology shaping their future.
​
Through interactive activities, students explored how AI learns, the role of data in decision-making, and the real-world applications of machine learning. Volunteers from Girls for Algorithmic Justice guided students through fun, age-appropriate exercises, such as modelling how to teach a simple AI model to recognize objects, exploring chatbot technology, and discussing how AI is used in daily life—from voice assistants to recommendation systems.
​
In addition to hands-on experiments, the workshops encouraged discussions about ethics in AI, introducing students to concepts like bias in algorithms and the importance of fairness in technology. By incorporating storytelling, games, and relatable examples, we aimed to spark interest in STEM fields and inspire young learners—especially girls—to see themselves as future innovators in AI.
More Workshop Recordings
Mechanisms of Machine Learning
August 13th, 2024 | 20 minutes
As part of our AI Ethics Fellowship in Summer 2023, we hosted the Mechanisms of Machine Learning workshop, an in-depth session exploring how machine learning models process data, recognize patterns, and make predictions. Led by GFAJ volunteers and student fellows, the workshop broke down key concepts such as supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, and algorithmic optimization through interactive discussions and real-world examples. Participants examined the ethical implications of these mechanisms, including how biased training data can lead to discriminatory outcomes, and engaged in hands-on activities to understand the impact of dataset composition on AI decision-making. This session provided a critical foundation for ethical AI advocacy, equipping attendees with the technical and ethical knowledge necessary to evaluate and challenge biased AI systems.
AI Ethics Fellowship Day 2
August 13th, 2024 | 60 minutes
On Day 2 of our AI Ethics Fellowship in Summer 2023, participants engaged in a dynamic and interactive exploration of AI’s societal impacts, with a focus on both technical understanding and ethical considerations. The session kicked off with a Kahoot review of machine learning fundamentals, reinforcing key concepts in an engaging, fast-paced format. From there, discussions expanded to the intersection of AI and climate change, analyzing how machine learning is both a tool for environmental solutions and a contributor to energy-intensive computing. The workshop also delved into AI and gender equity, examining algorithmic bias, representation gaps in AI development, and the disproportionate harms AI-driven systems pose to marginalized communities. Through case studies, critical discussions, and interactive activities, attendees deepened their understanding of AI’s far-reaching implications and the urgent need for ethical, inclusive technological development.
Intersection of AI with Global Challenges
August 13th, 2024 | 20 minutes
The Intersection of AI with Global Challenges workshop explored the profound ways artificial intelligence is shaping some of the world’s most pressing issues. Participants examined AI’s role in climate change mitigation, global health, economic inequality, and political disinformation, analyzing both its potential benefits and ethical pitfalls. Through interactive discussions and case studies, the session highlighted how AI can be leveraged for sustainable development and crisis response, while also addressing the risks of algorithmic bias, digital surveillance, and deepfake misinformation in exacerbating global inequalities. By critically evaluating AI’s impact across diverse sectors, attendees gained a nuanced understanding of the ethical responsibilities that come with developing and deploying AI-driven solutions on a global scale.
AI Ethics & Relevant Legislation
August 13th, 2024 | 50 minutes
The AI Advocacy & Relevant Legislation workshop provided participants with a deep dive into the intersection of policy, ethics, and AI governance, equipping them with the tools to advocate for more equitable and accountable AI systems. A key focus of the session was the Facial Recognition & Biometric Technology Moratorium Act, a proposed U.S. bill aimed at halting the use of facial recognition technology by federal agencies due to its well-documented biases and privacy concerns. Participants explored the broader implications of AI in law enforcement, surveillance, and civil rights, discussing how legislation can serve as a crucial mechanism for protecting marginalized communities from algorithmic harms. The session also covered strategies for grassroots advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and policy engagement, empowering attendees to push for stronger AI regulations and ethical AI deployment in their own communities.
Artificial Intelligence Basics
August 12th, 2024 | 20 minutes
The Artificial Intelligence Basics workshop provided participants with a foundational understanding of AI, breaking down key concepts in an accessible and engaging way. The session explored how machine learning models process data, recognize patterns, and make decisions, introducing terms like supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, and algorithmic training. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, attendees examined how AI is integrated into everyday technologies, from recommendation systems to voice assistants. The workshop also introduced ethical considerations, touching on bias in AI, data privacy, and the importance of transparency in algorithmic decision-making. By the end of the session, participants gained a clear grasp of AI fundamentals and its far-reaching societal implications.
Algorithmic Bias Policy Panel
July 29th, 2023 | 45 minutes
The Algorithmic Bias Policy Panel featured a thought-provoking discussion led by a group of high school students, who shared their perspectives on the growing concerns surrounding algorithmic bias and its real-world consequences. Panelists explored how biased AI systems disproportionately impact marginalized communities, particularly in areas such as hiring, healthcare, and law enforcement. A key focus of the discussion was the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act, with students analyzing its potential to curb government use of facial recognition technology and protect civil liberties. The conversation highlighted the importance of youth advocacy in AI policy, emphasizing the need for stronger regulations, transparency, and ethical AI development. This engaging session provided a unique look at how the next generation of leaders is thinking critically about AI governance and fighting for a more just technological future.