Misor guv empowers out-of-school youth with AI skills

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TECHNICAL Education and Skill Development Authority Misamis Oriental Provincial Office (TESDA-MisOr) has taken a significant step forward in solving the skills gap by focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) courses.

Under the commitment and initiative of Misamis Oriental Governor Pedro Unabia, TESDA-MisOr, in partnership with Cagayan de Oro City Technical Vocational Institute and Spark, successfully created the first batch of trained youth in the field of practical AI courses.

On June 23, the Practical Artificial Intelligence Course, a seven-month program, marked the graduation of 16 out-of-school youth (OSY) students.

The course aims to equip students with operational skills in various aspects of practical artificial intelligence, including AI Fundamentals in Practice Dataset Preparation and Annotation, Machine Learning Model Training, Machine Learning Model Deployment, Accuracy Reporting and Evaluation, and Data Storytelling and Visualization.

Governor Unabia expressed the importance of preparing the youth for the ongoing industrial revolutions, stressing the need for collaboration between the industries and the local government.

The goal is to create a capable and empowered youth that can contribute to the development of smart cities and municipalities, according to Unabia.

TESDA-10 Assistant Regional Director and TESDA MisOr Provincial Director Marigold Cherie Garrido highlighted the positive effects of the program, stating that the trained OSY students are now earning impressive incomes.

“We want to promote and show the world that we have these unique talents for the next generation,” he added.

Thor Turrecha, CEO of Spark, the industry partner, acknowledged the initial doubts surrounding the implementation of an AI course for young people out of school.

However, through the determination and desire to improve the lives of these individuals and their families, the program became successful, turning the skeptics into believers.

Turrecha assured the public that AI should not be feared, as it is designed to augment human capabilities rather than replace them completely.

With human intervention required for inputting data and assisting AI knowledge, the importance of making individuals proficient in AI cannot be understated.

While TESDA continues to adapt to the changing times, its mission to produce more youth equipped to face the challenges of the new industrial revolution remains strong.

Unabia’s commitment and the joint efforts of TESDA-MisOr, the vocational institute, and industry partners show the determination to empower the youth and shape a prosperous future.