While the world debates the risks of artificial intelligence, young women in Uganda are learning how to use it to create jobs, skills, and new possibilities.
Around the world, many people are talking about artificial intelligence, also called AI. Some technology leaders say AI may change many jobs in the coming years. Because of these discussions, many people feel uncertain about the future of work.
But in Kampala, Uganda, the story sounds different.
Through the Code Queen program by Educating The Children, young women are learning how to use AI in a positive and practical way. Instead of seeing technology as something to fear, they see it as something that can help them grow.
Educating The Children was founded in 2009 to support young women through education and training. Over the years, the organization has helped more than 6,000 girls across East Africa. In 2019, it launched Code Queen to teach technology skills that connect education with real job opportunities.
The program focuses on giving women practical digital training. Students learn coding, digital design, entrepreneurship, and communication skills. In 2025, the organization added a special AI course to prepare students for the changing digital world.
The response was very strong. Applications doubled after AI training was introduced. This showed that many young women want to be part of the future of technology.
The AI course teaches useful skills such as writing clear prompts, using AI tools for design, automating simple tasks, and thinking strategically about how to apply technology in business. The goal is not just to use AI, but to understand it and use it responsibly.
Instead of spending long hours on repetitive tasks, students now use AI to save time and focus on creative and meaningful work. Some graduates use AI to create social media content, marketing materials, and designs. Others use it to improve their CVs, build personal brands, or start small online businesses.
For these women, AI is not about replacement. It is about support. It helps them work faster, learn new things, and compete globally.
Educating The Children is also inviting organizations from the UK and around the world to join its AI Lunch & Learn sessions. These sessions demonstrate how Code Queen graduates use AI in real-world projects. In return, partner organizations help fund AI training for women in East Africa. This creates a partnership model where learning and social impact grow together.
While some global discussions describe automation as a risk, Code Queen focuses on preparation, confidence, and access to education. The program believes that when young women have the right tools and knowledge, they can adapt to change instead of fearing it.
In Kampala, students are not waiting for opportunities to appear. They are building them. They are learning digital skills, gaining confidence, and taking steps toward careers in the growing technology economy.
Their message is clear: the future of work is not something to be afraid of. With education and support, it can be a space of growth and inclusion.
Through programs like Code Queen, young women in Uganda are showing that AI can become a bridge connecting learning to opportunity, and ideas to action.
