The AI of Everything for Teachers: Understanding and Applying AI to Innovate in Education
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm HST
Location: Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center, located at 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96822
Cost: $60 per person
Scholarships available! Inquire here.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are transforming education, offering opportunities to innovate and solve persistent challenges. However, understanding how to use these technologies responsibly and inclusively is crucial for success. In this two-hour session, participants will gain an introductory understanding of AI and ML, learn about their applications in education, and discuss the ethical implications of their use. Through hands-on activities, participants will explore building simple applications using ChatGPT and consider how to integrate data responsibly. The session will conclude with a reflection on how inclusivity and ethical considerations shape effective AI solutions in education. Participants are encouraged to bring an application idea and sample materials (e.g., PDFs) they might use to train or fine-tune their AI models. Participants can expect to leave with both practical skills and a deeper understanding of AI's implications in education.
This program is part of the larger DESCARTES program, a collaboration between the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Colleges of Engineering, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Business, and Medicine, and is funded by the National Science Foundation, in collaboration with Forward Equity Lab. The program aims to harness AI and data science for the state of Hawai‘i, with a goal of establishing, via novel, immersive and rigorous graduate programs, the next generation of experts who can tackle these significant challenges using some of the most powerful tools at our disposal today, and in a way that is simultaneously socially viable and responsible. To learn more about the DESCARTES program, visit descartes.manoa.hawaii.edu.
About the Facilitator:
The workshop will be led by UH College of Education alum London Thompson Ed.D and will include faculty and trainees from DESCARTES, NSF Ai Research and Traineeship, College of Engineering.
Dr. London Thompson is a distinguished educational leader and Fulbright Specialist Grantee recognized for his expertise in curriculum development, faculty training, institutional planning, and data-driven decision-making. With a profound commitment to enhancing educational outcomes through inclusive and culturally relevant approaches, Dr. Thompson is currently serving as a Program Coordinator for the DESCARTES NSF program at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa College of Engineering, where he integrates data science principles to advance interdisciplinary research and education.
In 2024, Dr. Thompson was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Specialist Grant, under which he consults various academic institutions abroad, leading initiatives in curriculum reform and faculty training. Additionally, Dr. Thompson contributes as an ORIC Fellow at the Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS). This initiative focuses on developing strategies that address societal challenges through academic research, often leveraging data analytics to measure and enhance impact.
His influence extends to Howard University, where he has served as a Subject Matter Expert at the HBCU Humanities + Science Early Career Faculty Institute, advancing the integration of humanities with the sciences in HBCU curricula through the application of data-informed methodologies.
As the Founder and Executive Director of Forward Equity Lab, Dr. Thompson leads efforts to create inclusive educational environments and professional development programs, employing data science to identify and address systemic disparities in education. He also teaches courses on creativity, innovation, and intrapreneurship as an Adjunct Faculty Fellow at Purdue University Global, emphasizing the social implications of educational leadership and the role of analytics in driving innovation.
Dr. Thompson invites connections from those interested in innovative educational practices, diversity and inclusion in STEM, or collaborative opportunities in higher education. His career, spanning over a decade, demonstrates a steadfast dedication to developing initiatives that foster inclusive, data-informed academic and professional environments.
Christopher Manloloyo is an experienced software and electronics professional with over 14 years in the fields of software, website, mobile development, and gaming. He is currently a trainee at the DESCARTES NSF AI Research and Traineeship at the College of Engineering, focusing on in-context learning using Transformers. His academic contributions are notable, having lectured over 190 credits at the University of Hawaii in a range of subjects including Programming for Engineers, Object-Oriented Programming, Basic Circuits I and II, and Introduction to Digital Logic Design. His role extended beyond teaching, as he also assembled and instructed these comprehensive curriculums, showcasing his expertise and commitment to education.
In the cryptocurrency sector, Christopher has emerged as a recognized expert with significant contributions to key blockchain platforms like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Polkadot. He is deeply engaged with the Cardano Blockchain, managing his own stake pool and having completed the Plutus Pioneer course to enhance his skills in smart contract development. Christopher collaborates with multiple startups to develop infrastructure that includes web development, smart contracts, and stake pools. He actively contributes to building decentralized applications (DApps) within the Cardano ecosystem, driven by a passion for leveraging blockchain technology to foster community and innovation.
Currently, Christopher is pursuing a PhD at the University of Hawaii, exploring the transformative potential of AI across various sectors including decarbonization, healthcare, and social sciences. His research aims to bridge technological advances with critical global challenges, underscoring his dual commitment to technical innovation and societal well-being. Through his work and research, Christopher is dedicated to creating more opportunities for local developers and software engineers, particularly in the dynamic and evolving crypto space.