ELLIS Alicante and Fundación Gestamp Bring Artificial Intelligence Closer to Secondary School Students

400 students and teachers from secondary schools across the province of Alicante had the opportunity to explore the realities of Artificial Intelligence through the efforts of Fundación ELLIS Alicante, in collaboration with Fundación Gestamp. The initiative took place at the University of Alicante (UA) facilities, aiming to spark interest in scientific and technological careers among the new generation, demystify AI, and highlight its potential as a tool for Social Good.

The event was inaugurated by Raúl Ruiz Callado, Vice-Rector of Students and Employment at the University of Alicante, who warmly welcomed the students, inviting them to discover the University of Alicante. Following this, Nuria Oliver, director of ELLIS Alicante, and the rest of the research team from the Alicante foundation shared their personal motivations for pursuing a scientific career in Artificial Intelligence and the research projects they are working on.

Through these stories, students had the chance to learn how to delve into the exciting world of AI from various fields of study and professional approaches.

The event featured participation from students and teachers from the following educational centres in the province: IES Haygón and IES María Blasco (San Vicente del Raspeig), IES Virgen del Remedio, IES Jorge Juan, IES Figueras Pacheco, IES Mare Nostrum, Colegio Santa Teresa (Alicante), IES María Ibars (Denia), Colegio Diocesano Santo Domingo (Orihuela), and representatives from the Association of High Abilities and Talents of Alicante (ALASAC).

ELLIS Alicante was established in 2020 with the support and funding of the Generalitat Valenciana (Department of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism). ELLIS Alicante, with its focus on ethical, responsible AI for Social Good, is of utmost relevance today and is part of the Valencian Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, published in 2019.

The Alicante foundation is the first Spanish unit within the European ELLIS network of scientific excellence in AI. It is the only unit created from scratch as an independent private research foundation with a public-private funding model, including annual support from the Generalitat Valenciana.