Event Summary: Collaboration with INROADS Educational Organization AI and Entrepreneurship

Marcus Taylor poses with the participants of the Ugly Sweater contest wrapping up the event.

Saturday, December 6th, I participated in an educational outreach event organized by INROADS, led by Director Lanetta Farr, held at Dallas College in Farmers Branch. The event welcomed around 30 student participants, primarily African-American high school students from 9th through 12th grade, with a few middle school students in attendance.

Highlights:

The session focused on understanding entrepreneurship and the role of AI tools in enhancing business development. I introduced four accessible, free-to-use AI platforms:

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Gemini (Google DeepMind)

Claude AI (Anthropic)

Copilot (Microsoft)

These tools were selected for their research-backed features and accessibility to the public. Students learned how to apply AI tools creatively and collaboratively in entrepreneurial settings.

Students break into groups to brainstorm of ideas using AI assisted tools.

Interactive Breakout & Presentations:

The event concluded with a 15-minute brainstorming and pitch session where students formed eight teams. Each team received a prompt cheat sheet to guide their AI-based idea development. The results were phenomenal, showcasing creativity, innovation, and practical problem-solving within a limited timeframe.

Standout Ideas

1. Youth-Centered Rideshare Service:

One group proposed a youth-centric rideshare service designed specifically for working parents needing safe transportation for their children. Their business model emphasized safety, featuring in-car cameras, fingerprint scanners, panic buttons, GPS tracking, and driver training incentives. This comprehensive approach impressed the audience with its focus on real-world applications and social responsibility.

2. AI-Powered Hair Styling Booths:

Another team pitched a futuristic business involving AI-driven mechanical robots capable of providing specialized hair care, particularly for textured and ethnic hair types. Although highly conceptual, the originality and market awareness behind this idea were remarkable.

3. Mobile Pregnancy Health Scanner:

A third standout idea involved a mobile health scanner designed for expectant mothers. The device would provide at-home baby monitoring, scanning for potential health concerns and allowing direct reporting to healthcare providers. This thoughtful concept highlighted the students' concern for community health and technological innovation.

4. Eco-Friendly Solar Panels:

One environmentally conscious group focused on creating solar panels made from biodegradable, long-lasting materials. Their concept aimed to reduce the negative environmental impact of traditional solar panels, addressing sustainability and eco-friendly energy production.

Of course, there were more wonderful ideas.

Students Presenting Business Pitch of business to peers and family members.

Key Takeaways:

The workshop successfully combined hands-on learning, creative thinking, and real-world application through AI-powered tools. It was inspiring to see students step out of their comfort zones and deliver innovative, thoughtful pitches despite limited preparation time.

Parents were excited about the learning outcomes, and the Director expressed enthusiasm for future collaboration. Overall, the event was a tremendous success, reinforcing the potential of AI-driven education to inspire, innovate, and empower young minds.