Google and Girlguiding join forces to help girls learn to use AI-powered tools

• Google and Girlguiding announce the launch of new co-created activities, designed to help girls aged 4-18 to learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI) safely 
• The activities will see up to 300,000 girls learn about how AI-powered tools work, and how to use them building STEM skills for their future
• These brand-new AI activities build on Google and Girlguiding partnership which aims to tackle gender stereotypes

Google and Girlguiding, the UKs largest organisation dedicated completely to girls, today announced the launch of new artificial intelligence (AI) activities and badges, designed to help girls gain skills in the digital world. The activities aim  to help girls understand how AI-powered tools work, how to use them, and encourage more girls and young women across the country to pursue STEM subjects.

AI is helping people across the country. AI innovation is both making everyday life easier by giving us new tools to get things done, create and learn more, and powering the extraordinary, by improving health outcomes and supporting sustainability initiatives. 

Over half (52%) of girls and young women aged 11 to 21 say they think STEM subjects are seen more for boys. The new activities will provide girls with an age-appropriate introduction to the technology, helping them to understand the basics of what AI is and equip them with the skills to know how to use it safely.

The new co-created AI activities have been designed specifically for each of Girlguiding’s sections and age ranges: Rainbows aged 4-7, Brownies aged 7-10, Guides aged 10-14 and Rangers aged 14-18. 

• AI Story Writers - Rainbows aged 4 - 7 will work with volunteers to learn how to use the AI to create an interactive choose your own adventure story.. 
• AI Game Writers -  Brownies aged 7 - 10 will learn how to use AI to invent and play a new game. 
• Teach the AI Machine - Guides aged 10 - 14 will explore machine learning, using trial and error in a fun game. 
• Accelerate with AI - Rangers aged 14 - 18 will discover how to use AI as a problem-solving tool by working as a team to plan a personalised party or event.

Jiya, 17, Girlguiding advocate, said:

“I'm so excited that Girlguiding is working together with Google to teach us about AI and emerging technologies. 

“Knowing about the latest technology gives girls the confidence and knowledge to pursue opportunities in STEM, where we’re still underrepresented. By learning about AI, we’re preparing to be part of the future workforce and showing that these fields can—and should—include us.”

Angela Salt, Girlguiding CEO, said:

“We are glad to be working alongside our partners at Google to help empower girls to explore the digital world and provide an informed introduction to some of its newest technology platforms safely, equipping them with the skills needed for a tech-first future.

“It’s important to us at Girlguiding, and to our partners at Google, that we empower girls to be able to use technology and the internet, and that they feel welcome, safe and supported.”

Nicole McWilliams, former Girlguiding member and Director of Software Engineering at Google, said:

“AI is transforming our world, with applications ranging from everyday conveniences to groundbreaking scientific discoveries. We believe it's crucial for girls and young women to not only understand how these technologies work, but to also feel empowered to contribute to future AI development.

"We started our partnership with Girlguiding in 2018 to break down the barriers that prevent girls and young women from pursuing STEM subjects. We're excited to launch these new AI digital discovery activities to help challenge longstanding gender stereotypes, sparking curiosity and interest in these fast evolving technologies. We hope that these new badges will inspire the next generation of women engineers and encourage more girls to shape the future of AI."

The new unit meeting activities are the latest in Girlguiding and Google’s 6-year partnership. They are part of Girlguiding’s programme, sitting under the Skills For My Future theme in the topic Digital discovery. They’ll join the organisations’ most recent co-created activities, helping girls to learn about Online Safety, which include Online explorers for Rainbows, Kingdom of kindness for Brownies, To share or not to share? for Guides and Connect and respect for Rangers.  Google and Girlguiding will also launch a new fun Google badge. 

In 2022, Girlguiding announced the expansion of their partnership with Google and the launch of four new co-created digital skills activities for girls aged 4 to 18 to help inspire more girls and young women to pursue interests in technology and engineering and challenge gender stereotypes.