Abstract
In an era where AI solutions dominate innovative thinking, over 10% of patents filed in 2024 are AI-related compared to 4% in 2019, highlighting the growing importance of AI literacy. While significant investments focus on teaching students to use AI tools, the need to teach them how to create their own AI solutions is largely overlooked. This gap limits their ability to engage meaningfully with technology and contribute to innovation.
As students, we best understand the unique challenges and opportunities within different disciplines. Yet, the steep learning curve of developing AI often discourages many, as it can take years to acquire the necessary skills. To make innovative learning possible, we must support students in leveraging their domain knowledge effectively, enabling them to create tailored AI solutions without years of study.
Recognizing this challenge, we—the Nocodile AI team, primarily composed of HKU students—aim to democratize AI training for beginners. Our mission is to empower aspiring innovators not just to use AI but to master it, transforming passive consumers into active creators. We are determined to bridge the gap between knowledge and application, fostering a new generation of thinkers who can harness AI to drive meaningful change.
In partnership with HKU Library and the Innovation Wing, we have established a supportive ecosystem for learning and experimentation. We organized workshops with HKU Library to introduce the basics of AI, guiding participants from zero knowledge to hands-on model training. This would not be possible without the user-friendly platform we developed with Innovation Wing’s support. By simplifying AI training with intuitive interfaces and automation, we remove coding barriers that often deter newcomers from engaging with this transformative technology.
The results have been encouraging: over 100 students registered for our workshop—the highest among the series—demonstrating strong interest and need. Feedback shows a significant boost in participants’ confidence and understanding of AI.
Looking ahead, we aim to contribute our platform to the HKU AI literacy curriculum, cultivating a generation of innovators who are among the most AI-literate and prepared to lead in an AI-driven world.
In our presentation, we will address the current gap in AI literacy, introduce the Nocodile AI initiative, and share our future perspectives. We will also dedicate fifteen minutes to demonstrating how the software supports effective workshops and introducing academic staff to the platform.
Presenter(s) / Author(s)
