Creative Youth Futures Training

BACKGROUND

The rise of generative AI (GAI) has revolutionized numerous industries, from large language models like ChatGPT, capable of crafting compelling narratives, to diffusion-based image generation tools like MidJourney that create hyper-realistic images, and cinematic quality video generation platforms like Runway. As the portfolio of GAI tools expands and their quality improves, the potential impact is immense, with AI projected to contribute nearly $1 trillion USD to Southeast Asia’s GDP by 2030.

GAI has the power to liberate the modern workforce from administrative language tasks, which currently account for 62% of total work time. This shift highlights the growing necessity for employees, especially fresh graduates and early professionals, to proficiently utilize GAI to succeed in the workplace. The International Labour Organization predicts that 13% of employment globally can be augmented by GAI, while 75 million jobs may be replaced by GAI-mediated automation. Thus, upskilling in GAI is critical to securing the employability and competitiveness of Southeast Asia’s youth workforce.

However, many universities continue to treat AI as a specialized field rather than a fundamental skill, leaving young graduates ill-prepared for an AI-driven job market. The current education system, with its over-emphasis on academic performance, often fails to cultivate the curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills necessary to thrive in an AI future.

To address this gap, there is an urgent need for an inclusive, locally-rooted GAI learning platform that fosters hands-on learning, facilitates open knowledge exchange, and enables practical application in both personal and professional settings. Such a platform would empower youth to harness GAI for creative expression, innovative problem-solving, and effective leadership, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate and shape the future AI landscape.

KA-HUSAY-AN - Creative Youth Futures Training

KA-HUSAY-AN, which stands for "Kabataang Husay sa Bayan" (Skilled Youth for Nation-building), is a youth-focused initiative designed to empower the youth in the Bicol Region with relevant digital career skills. Led by iLab ARAL Inc. and co-organized by the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (Bicol Hub), with support from the US Embassy Philippines through the YSEALI Amplify8 program, this program is committed to tackling the challenges of youth unemployment and underemployment by raising awareness of in-demand digital skills and offering comprehensive training opportunities. The program is designed to provide comprehensive support and opportunities for the holistic development of youth, encompassing various aspects such as entrepreneurship, financial, economic, and social empowerment.

As part of the KA-HUSAY-AN Program, the Creative Youth Futures Training will deliver various sessions on digital skills development for the youth in the Bicol region. One of the digital themes of the program focuses on Emerging Trends and Technologies, including Generative AI.

About iLab ARAL Inc. X SEA-UP

iLab ARAL Inc., is a registered education NGO that co-creates authentic realms of alternative education for and with children, youth, and adults through local and global collaborations and learning for the sustainability of communities, environment, and economy. The education and development programs and projects are designed to develop youth skills such as digital, entrepreneurship, financial, economic, social, arts and environmental literacies.

SEA-Up, pronounced as 'Siap' (meaning 'Ready' in Bahasa) is a dynamic initiative on a mission to bolster generative AI (GAI) proficiency among Southeast Asia's youth. Imagine a space where young people can explore the exciting world of GAI, collaborate on projects, and exchange ideas about the future of AI in the region. This is the vision behind SEA-Up. Our dream is to empower ALL Southeast Asian youth, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, to be "ready" for the tech-driven world and the vast opportunities it holds. Through SEA-Up, they can gain the skills they need to thrive in the future.

Objectives

We want to improve the GAI literacy of Southeast Asian youths in the hope of empowering and nurturing their true potential in personal and professional settings. We aim to:

Empower young people with knowledge to understand and utilise GAI tools
Create an inclusive space for Southeast Asian youths to experiment and explore GAI in a locally relevant manner
Platform the unique value of Southeast Asian youths in contributing to the economy of the future

Methodology

Participants had a series of sessions in a playground-like environment that enabled them to collaborate and experiment freely. They tackled real-world problems identified by partners (universities, companies, government, NGOs) as problem statement providers. Each session was conducted based on iLab ARAL’s ALAB framework, Activate-Leverage-Apply-Build.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE DESIGNERS

Avi is a tech-savvy Indonesian senior project manager with extensive experience, including 8.5 years in Japan and 2 years in Singapore, managing projects across diverse cultures and markets. He has worked with top clients such as Google, Unilever, UberEats, and Grab on various projects, including web3, tech builds, social campaigns, OOH-DOOH, and traditional printing. Currently, as a Senior Project Manager at Google Store, he manages the yearly promotion campaign and collaborates with cross-functional teams. In 2023, he joined the Technology and Innovation Program of the YSEALI Academy at Fulbright University Vietnam. Passionate about education, he is also the founder of SEA-UP, an initiative platform for Southeast Asian youth to upskill their ability in using generative AI.

Foong, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a dedicated Programme Associate at the Global Institute for Tomorrow (GIFT). He is deeply passionate about understanding how AI impacts society and harnessing its power for good. Through his role at GIFT, Foong engages with leaders, thinkers, and innovators to explore AI and technology in unconventional ways, contributing to societal and environmental betterment. His involvement in a think tank has provided him with unique opportunities to delve into AI’s transformative potential, aiming to create a positive impact. He is also an alumnus of the Technology and Innovation Program of the YSEALI Academy at Fulbright University Vietnam in 2023.

Liyana is a dedicated graphic designer with over 10 years of experience in branding and marketing. As the Head of Creative at Progresif, she merges her expertise in AI with her creative skills to push the boundaries of design, enhance her work, and drive innovation within the industry. She is passionate about using AI to unlock new creative possibilities and aims to inspire others through her engaging talks and social media content. Her mission is to explore and promote the transformative power of AI in the realm of creativity. She was also a former fellow of the Technology and Innovation Program of the YSEALI Academy at Fulbright University Vietnam.

Leah is a passionate Creative Technologist who thrives on experimenting with and prototyping the latest AI innovations. Based in Singapore and originally from China, she drives AI-powered content creation by building AI workflows and models. She is dedicated to upskilling people globally through workshops, newsletters, and R&D initiatives, all aimed at inspiring new technological possibilities. Her enthusiasm for exploring and prototyping innovative technologies fuels her work, enabling her to see the unseen and push the boundaries of what is possible in the tech world.

Our participants

Our Training Sessions

Project Impact

The KA-HUSAY-AN Creative Youth Futures Training on Mastering Generative AI: From Concept to Creation was successfully held on September 14, 15, and 28, 2024. This transformative event brought together 12 selected participants from various provinces in the Bicol Region of the Philippines, all eager to explore the world of generative AI. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in dynamic sessions that covered crucial topics in AI development. Day 1 introduced participants to generative AI concepts, including LLMs (Large Language Models) and prompt engineering. On Day 2, participants delved into image and video generation using generative AI tools, learning to apply cutting-edge technologies to their creative projects. Day 3 featured a mini-hackathon, where participants collaborated to develop and present four innovative digital campaigns. The training provided valuable hands-on experience, empowering the participants to harness AI for real-world applications and positioning them as future leaders in digital innovation in their communities.

The Organizing Team

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