ATLANTA—The power of technology and the imagination of middle and high school girls came alive at Georgia State University on November 2, 2024, during a workshop designed to empower and inspire girls for future careers in tech.
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) North America led the workshop, providing young girls with hands-on training to introduce them to essential technical skills. GSMA North America had launched the Tech4Girls initiative in 2018, aiming to equip participants in 7th through 12th grade with various technologies and introduce them to industry leaders, allowing them to explore potential career pathways in tech.
The Atlanta workshop was supported by GSMA, Georgia State University’s Center for Studies on Africa and Its Diaspora (CSAD), Youth for Humanity, Verizon, and Mellon Intersectionality in the American South, in collaboration with Equals Her Digital Skills, among others.
According to GSMA, the workshops aimed to “shape the workforce of tomorrow.” More than two dozen students attended the workshop at Georgia State University’s downtown Atlanta Campus.
“CSAD’s partnership with GSMA North America Tech4Girls reflects our commitment to empowering young women to share ideas and become leaders in technology. Programs like these reaffirm that their voices are crucial to driving innovation across fields,” said Dr. Suazette Mooring, a professor in the Department of Chemistry at Georgia State University.
Dr. Mooring, an organic chemist focused on improving the teaching and learning of chemistry, led the workshop partnership for CSAD.
“As a scientist and board member of CSAD, I recognize that science and technology are not merely subjects to study; they are powerful tools that can profoundly impact families and communities. Technology impacts people! The voices of young women are essential. Their unique insights and creativity can challenge how we use technology, who has access to it, and who ultimately benefits,” she continued.
Tech4Girls stated its goal of breaking gender barriers and training a new generation of confident, tech-savvy women. During the workshop, students were engaged, with some marveling at the interactive exercises that allowed them to communicate with the platform and elicit human-like responses.
One student described the workshop as “very informational and helped a lot of girls, including me, understand the importance of technology and AI.”
“We were able to ask a lot of questions, and hearing people ask questions answered some other things I was thinking. Thank you for hosting this event, and I hope there will be more,” she said.
Parents were able to observe the workshop, and many expressed appreciation for the mentoring the program provided.
“I appreciate the efforts being taken to get ahead of the technology. I can already foresee that in the next 15 years, the AI mindset will be as normal as breathing. I definitely think it is needed. I got a better understanding of the AI model and how it's being used,” one parent said.
“Next time I will definitely bring along more young ladies who need to be reminded they are the face of the future.”
According to GSMA’s website, approximately 300 girls have participated in workshops and activities, including in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barcelona, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Nairobi, Brussels, and London. The Atlanta workshop marked the training session hosted by GSMA and CSAD. Workshop officials planned to explore future collaborations.