PhawAI - Code, Culture, and Collaboration: Reflections on Pioneering an AI Workshop for Emerging Computer Scientists in Arequipa, Perú

This innovative practice full paper reports and reflects on organizing and implementing a pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) workshop for undergraduate computer science students in Arequipa, Peru named PhawAI. The uniqueness of this workshop lies in its dual focus: enhancing undergraduate student participants' AI skills while preparing them for AI careers and/or potential graduate studies. Thus, the workshop was implemented with the goal of bridging the AI knowledge gap and fostering international academic collaboration. This practice is akin to literature on international higher education, cross-cultural STEM instruction, and advanced AI pedagogy. It builds upon previous studies highlighting the importance of global perspectives in computer science education and the role of specialized workshops in preparing students for graduate-level studies abroad. Results from the post workshop self-reported surveys indicate not only increased readiness for graduate-level studies and enhanced awareness of global AI research opportunities among participants as a result of the interactions during the workshop. The participant reflections provided valuable insights into the opportunities for improvement while implementing similar such initiatives in the context of international higher education. This paper offers fellow educators new perspectives on designing and conducting advanced AI education programs for undergraduate students, especially in developing regions, particularly those catering to participants aspiring to study abroad. Specifically, we highlight the importance of balancing local educational needs with international academic standards. Our findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on global computer science education and provide practical guidelines for educators seeking to implement similar programs in diverse global contexts.