AI Ready ASEAN Project (AI RAP)

1. Project Profile

 

The AI Ready ASEAN project, led by the ASEAN Foundation with support from Google.org, is a regional initiative to promote AI and coding literacy through the Hour of Code, a global movement introducing computer science to diverse audiences. It aims to demystify coding and AI, making them accessible and engaging for students, educators, parents, and communities across ASEAN countries.

 

2. Main Goal

 

The primary goal is to foster AI readiness by equipping individuals with foundational coding and AI literacy skills. By understanding how AI and coding work, participants can make informed decisions, protect their privacy, combat misinformation, and prepare for future careers in a tech-driven world.

 

3. Project Update

 

The project is actively rolling out Hour of Code events across ASEAN, encouraging schools, communities, and individuals to host one-hour coding sessions. Supported by Code.org, the initiative provides beginner-friendly, interactive activities in 48+ languages, with a focus on integrating coding into education and community programs. The document emphasizes ongoing efforts to collect data and testimonials to evaluate impact.

 

4. Project Key Activities

 

• Hosting Hour of Code Events: Organizing one-hour coding sessions (online, offline, or hybrid) with activities like "AI for Oceans" or "Classic Maze."
• Teacher and Community Training: Guiding educators and leaders to set up Code.org accounts, create classes, and assign activities.
• Data Collection: Gathering demographics, event details, and participant feedback for monitoring and evaluation.
• Promotion: Using email templates, posters, videos, and social media to engage audiences and amplify reach.
• Testimonial Collection: Capturing at least five testimonials per event, prioritizing vulnerable groups, to showcase impact.

 

5. Snapshot

 

A standout feature is the structured approach to hosting Hour of Code events, exemplified by the step-by-step guide for teachers. For instance, educators create a Code.org teacher account, set up class sections with age-appropriate login methods (e.g., Picture Password for ages 4-8, Google Classroom for older students), and assign activities like "AI for Oceans," where participants train AI to clean virtual oceans. Events follow a 60-minute format: 5-10 minutes for an opening and pre-test, 25-45 minutes for the main activity, and 5-10 minutes for reflection, post-test, and certificate distribution. The initiative also supports unplugged activities for areas with limited internet, ensuring inclusivity.

 

6. Target Beneficiary/Audience

 

The project targets a diverse audience:

• Youth (15-35 years): Engaging through fun, hands-on coding activities.
• Parents: Encouraged to support children’s AI learning or host sessions at home.
• Educators: Provided with lesson plans and tools to teach coding.
• Trainers: Focused on in-depth AI literacy and teaching techniques.
• Communities: Including vulnerable groups like people with disabilities, women, indigenous communities, and low-income families, to ensure equitable access to tech education.

 

7. A Glance into the Future

 

The AI Ready ASEAN project envisions expanding the Hour of Code into a sustainable movement, integrating coding and AI literacy into school curricula and community programs across ASEAN. It aims to empower more individuals to create, not just consume, technology, fostering a generation of critical thinkers and innovators. The project will continue leveraging partnerships with Code.org and Google.org, collecting impactful testimonials, and promoting inclusivity to prepare ASEAN countries for an AI-driven future.

 

8. Donor

 

The project is supported by Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, which funds initiatives to advance technology education and digital inclusion globally.

 

    

 

9. Additional Note

 

The document emphasizes accessibility, with activities requiring minimal setup (smartphones, tablets, or no devices for unplugged options) and support for 48+ languages, ensuring broad participation. The focus on collecting testimonials from vulnerable groups highlights a commitment to showcasing diverse impacts, which will guide future iterations of the program.

 

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