ELLIS Alicante has hosted the 4th Outreach Conference for the Promotion of Scientific Careers in the University of Alicante Auditorium, an event aimed at students and teachers from secondary schools, vocational training programs, and high schools across the province. The goal is to introduce Artificial Intelligence to the younger generation, spark their interest in science and technology careers, and demonstrate the potential of this field as a tool for the common good. The event is organized in collaboration with the Banco Sabadell Foundation, the Gestamp Foundation, and the University of Alicante. The institutional welcome was delivered by Ms. María Jesús Pastor Llorca, Vice Rector for Technology Transfer, Entrepreneurship, and Scientific Outreach at the University of Alicante, and by Mr. Juan José Cortés Vélez, Director General of Innovation at the Regional Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Innovation, and Trade.

During the opening ceremony, the Vice Rector emphasized that this event “is part of the University of Alicante’s commitment to bringing science and technology closer to the younger generation with the aim of fostering interest in these fields,” and she stressed “the importance of joining forces to continue inspiring future careers.” In this regard, Pastor explained that “throughout the year, numerous activities are organized both on and off campus, in collaboration with city councils, elementary and secondary schools, and our university campuses, to bring scientific and research activities to the public,” and she invited attendees to continue participating in all of them.

Meanwhile, Juan José Cortés, Director General of Innovation, emphasized the Regional Government’s commitment to creating the ideal conditions for talent to flourish in the Valencian Community: “Through the Regional Ministry, we promote programs that connect classrooms, universities, and businesses, and that specifically encourage interest in STEAM fields among girls and young people, because the future of innovation needs all the talent it can get.”

“Artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology are extraordinary tools, but on their own they don’t change the world. What really makes a difference is talent and the questions we ask: what is technology for, what problem does it solve, and whom can it help? The world needs young people capable of understanding technology and using it with purpose,” he emphasized.

During the event, the director of ELLIS Alicante, Nuria Oliver, along with the Foundation’s research team, shared with the students their multidisciplinary backgrounds, personal motivations for pursuing AI, and the research projects they are working on. These presentations allowed the students to learn about different paths leading to the field of science and technology and to understand the positive impact of AI when it is developed in an ethical, responsible, and people-centered manner.

The director of ELLIS Alicante emphasized the importance of introducing artificial intelligence to teenagers from an educational perspective: “Many of them already use AI-based tools in their daily lives, but they don’t always understand how they work, what their limitations are, or what negative impact they can have. Activities like this aim precisely to spark their curiosity and help them discover the science and technology behind it, so they can move beyond being mere users of technology and become future creators. During the event, we presented some of the AI research projects developed at ELLIS Alicante by and for people, including Maike, an educational chatbot that fosters the development of critical thinking through the Socratic method, as well as methods for detecting biases, discrimination, and vulnerabilities in AI algorithms.”

More than 700 students and teachers from the following schools attended: IES Haygón, IES Virgen del Remedio, IES San Blas, IES Mutxamel, Colegio Diocesano Santo Domingo, Colegio Santa Teresa Vistahermosa, IES San Vicente, IES Doctor Balmis, CIPFP Canastell, IES Cabo de la Huerta, Colegio Maristas, and IES Jorge Juan. The diversity of participating schools reflects the growing interest in science, technology, and especially Artificial Intelligence among students and teachers in the province of Alicante.

The event concluded with “GPT Humano”, an innovative theatrical production created by Javier Ideami and performed by the Art Corpore theater company. The performance explains, in a visual, creative, and accessible way, the inner workings of GPT—the neural network on which ChatGPT is based—enabling young audiences to understand complex AI concepts through an engaging and accessible artistic experience.