Breaking Barriers in AI Education: Sruti Das Choudhury’s Inclusive Approach
Image: AI and Computer Vision
Sruti Das Choudhury, a research associate professor and image analysis specialist, has been recognized with a Faculty Inclusive Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions to making artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision accessible to students from all backgrounds.
Das Choudhury’s journey began three years ago when she designed presession courses on computer vision, machine learning, and AI, specifically tailored for students with little to no programming experience. Her goal was to create an inclusive environment where students from diverse disciplines could learn and implement AI tools without feeling intimidated.
“I wanted to frame the courses in such a way that students of all disciplines, all majors, even all stages of their career, can take help of these tools and implement computer vision and machine learning techniques right away and overcome the challenges and fears of programming,” Das Choudhury explained.
With funding from the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, Das Choudhury opened her courses to students across the university, teaching them to use AI tools without delving into theoretical backgrounds. The response was overwhelming, with students from 12 units, including the School of Natural Resources, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, participating in the courses.
Image: Students Engaged in AI Learning
The courses received the highest rating for all three years, with class sizes ranging from 20 to 25 students. Tala Awada, associate dean in the Agricultural Research Division, praised Das Choudhury’s approach, saying, “It is inspiring to observe Sruti in action. She is authentic and has a genuine interest in building AI and computer vision skills of IANR students with little or no background in the domain. She meets everyone where they are and creates a student-specific plan to help them succeed.”
Das Choudhury’s work is a testament to the power of inclusive education, demonstrating that AI and computer vision can be made accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or experience.
Image: AI for All
By breaking down barriers and making AI education more inclusive, Das Choudhury is paving the way for a more diverse and talented pool of AI professionals who can drive innovation and progress in the field.
