"How Computers See: Dive Into the World of AI and Vision!" "Teach Machines to Think: An AI Adventure" "Coding Cool: Build Smart Programs with AI" "The Magic of Machines: Learn How AI Works!" "From Pixels to Brains: Explore the Fun Side of AI"

Course Description

Discover the fascinating world of artificial intelligence (AI) in this interactive mini-course! Designed for beginners, you'll learn how machines "see" and process images, just like humans. Using fun, hands-on activities, you'll create simple AI programs in Python to detect objects and track motion. Explore how AI powers apps, games, and even self-driving cars. By the end of the week, you'll understand the basics of AI, improve your coding skills, and complete your very own AI project. This course is perfect for curious minds who love technology and want to learn how it shapes our world!

Biography

I am Niloofar Hooshyaripour, a third-year Ph.D. student in Computer Science at the University of Ottawa. Over the past 2.5 years, I have gained extensive experience as a Teaching Assistant for courses such as "Introduction to Computing (Python)" and "Learning-Based Computer Vision," where I mentored and supported university students in programming and AI concepts. My research focuses on machine learning and computer vision, particularly in developing solutions for optical flow estimation and object detection. With hands-on experience in Python and C++ programming, I have worked on various real-world projects, such as creating AI-based fire detection systems and license plate recognition during my internships at NRC and FANAP. Having worked closely with students across different learning levels, I have honed my ability to make complex concepts engaging and accessible, especially for younger audiences. I am passionate about inspiring curiosity and critical thinking in students and look forward to bringing this enthusiasm to the Enrichment Mini-Course Program.