The second day of the Generative AI Bootcamp at Kabarak University delivered a rich and engaging learning experience, drawing over 120 participants both online and in person. Students, faculty, and industry professionals convened to explore the rapidly evolving field of generative AI through a series of focused, hands-on sessions.
The morning kicked off with an insightful session on automating PowerPoint generation using AI. Facilitated by a Microsoft representative, the workshop demonstrated how tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot are streamlining the creation of presentation slides through natural language input. Using a real-world case study, the facilitator illustrated how generative technologies are being integrated into everyday workflows, enhancing productivity and transforming documentation practices in both academic and corporate environments.
Later in the morning, participants were introduced to foundational generative models through an in-depth session on Autoencoders and Variational Autoencoders (VAEs). This technical session highlighted their use in data compression, anomaly detection, and image synthesis. A hands-on Python walkthrough enabled attendees to witness the models in action, bridging theoretical concepts with practical application and offering a robust foundation in machine learning architecture.
Another mid-morning highlight was a session addressing the skills gap in AI and technology. Facilitated by The Bridge Program, the session emphasized the importance of aligning academic learning with real-world demands. Experts from IBM followed with an engaging talk on building Generative AI Agents. Designed for beginners, the session covered key concepts such as agentic workflows, prompt chaining, and task decomposition. IBM demonstrated how students can develop AI-powered solutions tailored for educational settings, while The Bridge showcased innovative tools to further enhance the learning experience.
The afternoon was dedicated to exploring transformer models and their revolutionary impact on natural language processing (NLP). Led by a technical mentor from Moringa School, the session demystified core concepts such as self-attention, multi-head attention, and the architecture of state-of-the-art models like BERT, GPT, and T5. Through live demonstrations and simplified explanations, participants saw how transformer models underpin tools like ChatGPT. This session emerged as the day's standout, frequently mentioned in participant feedback as the most impactful.
Engagement remained high throughout the day, with lively Q&A sessions, active discussions, and strong interest in follow-up training. Participants praised the structure of the bootcamp, the clarity of instruction, and the practical relevance of the topics. Many expressed enthusiasm for more hands-on workshops, particularly in developing transformer-based models and building GenAI agents.
The second day of the bootcamp not only delivered cutting-edge insights into generative AI but also underscored Kabarak University’s commitment to empowering future innovators. Through industry collaboration, experiential learning, and a focus on emerging technologies, the university continues to cement its role as a leader in technological advancement and capacity building in the region. By equipping participants with the tools and knowledge to drive change, Kabarak is nurturing a new generation of AI practitioners poised to make meaningful contributions in academia, industry, and beyond.
