AImpowered Women

According to ERIA (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) Policy Brief (February 2023), the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women entrepreneurs in the ASEAN region. Women entrepreneurs, who primarily run small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), have faced a higher risk of bankruptcy during economic downturns. Moreover, women have limited access to opportunities in the digital economy, which is expected to drive post-pandemic recovery. This situation has widened the digital gender divide, especially for women in rural areas who lack equal access to digital opportunities.

Despite relatively high levels of gender equality in basic access metrics, women in ASEAN countries are underrepresented in advanced aspects of the digital economy. They face challenges in acquiring skills, accessing entrepreneurship opportunities, and securing leadership positions. STEM fields, which are crucial for participation in technology-related professions, also have a significant gender imbalance. Although the number of women entrepreneurs in ASEAN was growing prior to the pandemic, their ability to compete and thrive in the digital economy is hindered by limited access to sophisticated digital tools.

According to G20 Empower (2022), women entrepreneurs face various challenges, with financial limitations being a significant hurdle. Many women report difficulties in accessing credit for their SMEs, resulting in an estimated shortfall of USD 287 billion. Moreover, women perceive themselves as having fewer of the necessary skills to start a business compared to their male counterparts. Networking is another area where women face barriers, with a significant percentage having limited or no interaction with business associations. This lack of access to valuable networking opportunities and resources hampers their entrepreneurial growth.

Technological limitations further hinder women’s entrepreneurial endeavors. A significant proportion of women entrepreneurs lack internet access, which restricts their ability to leverage digital tools effectively and tap into opportunities provided by the digital economy. 

In response to these challenges, the proposed AImpowered Women project aims to empower women entrepreneurs in Indonesia in particular. The project will provide an AI-powered digital marketing course and establish a supportive community for underserved women entrepreneurs. By equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and access to AI tools, the project seeks to help women overcome barriers and thrive in the digital economy.

The AImpowered Women is an online training program designed to help underserved young women to start a business from scratch and market their business, optimized with the help of AI tools.

The course offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers the basics of entrepreneurship, as well as AI concepts and tools that can be used to improve business marketing. 

The course is delivered entirely online, making it accessible to women in even the most remote areas of Indonesia, as long as they have a laptop and internet connection. 

Participants will have access to a range of learning materials, including videos, interactive exercises, and quizzes. In addition, they will be able to connect with other participants and instructors through an online forum, providing a supportive community for learning and collaboration.

Throughout the course, participants will be guided by experienced instructors who are knowledgeable about entrepreneurship and AI. The instructors will provide feedback on coursework and answer questions to help participants navigate the challenges of starting a business using AI tools.

Upon completion of the course, participants will have gained a deep understanding of entrepreneurship and AI tools concepts, as well as the skills needed to start a business using AI. They will also have a network of peers and instructors to support them in their entrepreneurial journey. Finally, they will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to harness the power of AI to drive business success and innovation.

The target age range for AImpowered Women is 18 - 25 years old. This demographic includes young women who may have had limited access to educational and career opportunities due to financial constraints, cultural barriers, or other factors. The course would aim to provide these aspiring young women with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to start their own businesses using AI tools, thereby creating new economic opportunities for themselves and their families.

Our team has a strong foundation in delivering AI-powered courses and has already successfully conducted a similar course targeted toward Marketing Assistants. This experience positions us well to develop and deliver an AImpowered Women that is specifically tailored to the needs of underserved young women who want to start a business.

As a non-profit education platform that aims to empower the next generation to reskill/upskill with in-demand remote skills, Remote Skills Academy aligns with MIT Solve’s mission to drive social impact through technology and innovation.

The AImpowered Women program directly addresses the need for improved civic action learning opportunities for underserved young women by providing them with access to a comprehensive curriculum that includes AI tools and concepts that can be used to improve their business marketing. 

By equipping these women with key civic skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication, the program will enable them to take effective action on community and global issues related to entrepreneurship and gender inequality. 

The AImpowered Women initiative also aligns with Solve’s goal of building core social-emotional learning skills, as participants will develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Overall, MIT Solve provides an opportunity for Remote Skills Academy to showcase and scale our innovative solution, connect with a global community of like-minded individuals, and access resources to help drive social impact and positive change.

The Remote Skills Academy is an impact-focused education program to empower Indonesian youth to reskill and upskill with digital skills. We created programs that aim to provide accessible, high-quality education to individuals who may not have the means or opportunity to pursue traditional forms of education. Through our online platform, we offer a wide range of courses and training programs in various fields, including technology, business, and personal development.

Our AImpowered Women in several ways. Firstly, we are using cutting-edge AI tools to help participants market their businesses effectively. This is a unique approach that sets up apart from other entrepreneurship courses currently available. By integrating AI concepts and tools into our curriculum, we are empowering young women to harness the power of technology to improve their financial situation and achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

Secondly, we are the first to provide such a comprehensive course that combines entrepreneurship and technology for underserved women. This means that we are addressing a significant gap in the market and providing valuable support to a group that has historically been underrepresented in the business world. By breaking down barriers to education and fostering a sense of community, we are empowering young women to thrive in their entrepreneurial journey and improve their financial situation.

Additionally, our program is delivered entirely online, making it accessible to young women in even the most remote areas of Indonesia. This is particularly important given the size and diversity of the Indonesian population, with more than 18,000 islands and a population of over 280 million people. By leveraging technology to bring our course to participants wherever they are, this innovative solution that is both timely and relevant, leveraging the power of AI to help women entrepreneurs thrive in the 21st century.

Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are centered around empowering underserved women entrepreneurs in Indonesia to start and grow successful businesses using AI tools.

In the next year, our goal is to reach 50 young women SME owners with our AImpowered Women and help them gain valuable skills and knowledge to start and grow their businesses. We will achieve this by partnering with local organizations and leveraging social media and online marketing to reach potential participants. Additionally, we will continue to refine our curriculum and course delivery to ensure that our program meets the needs of our participants and provides the maximum benefit.

In the next five years, our goal is to expand our reach and impact to empower hundreds of young women entrepreneurs throughout Indonesia. We will achieve this by scaling our program and building a sustainable model for delivering high-quality entrepreneurial education using AI tools. This will include partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and local organizations to increase awareness of our program and reach more underserved women entrepreneurs. Additionally, we will explore opportunities to offer additional courses and support services to our alumni, such as mentorship programs, access to funding, and networking opportunities.

Overall, our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are focused on empowering underserved aspiring women entrepreneurs in Indonesia to achieve their full potential using innovative technology and a supportive community. By providing access to valuable skills and knowledge, we believe that we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these women and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.

The core technology that powers AImpowered Women is artificial intelligence (AI), specifically in the form of AI tools that can help people create and market their businesses. These tools are designed to be easy to use and accessible, even for those with no prior experience in AI or technology.

The course covers a wide range of AI concepts and tools, including those related to content creation, social media marketing, and website development. Participants will learn how to leverage AI tools to create compelling content for their businesses, attract and engage customers on social media, and build professional-looking websites.

The goal is to empower women to take control of their businesses and use technology to drive success and innovation. By providing access to AI tools and training, AImpowered Women aims to level the playing field for underserved aspiring women entrepreneurs, helping them to compete in the digital age and achieve their goals.

As an AI-powered solution designed to help underserved aspiring women entrepreneurs, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our work. Our approach to incorporating these values is multifaceted.

First, we strive to ensure that our course content and materials are culturally sensitive and relevant to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our participants. We recognize that different communities may have unique perspectives on entrepreneurship, business, and AI, and we seek to honor and reflect these perspectives in our curriculum.

Second, we prioritize accessibility in our course delivery. We recognize that many young women in underserved communities may face barriers to accessing high-quality education and training programs, and we strive to make our course as accessible as possible. Our entirely online format, for example, allows women in even the most remote areas of Indonesia to participate in the course as long as they have a laptop and internet connection.

Third, we prioritized inclusivity in our community-building efforts. Our online forum allows participants to connect with each other and with instructors, fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment. We encourage participants to share their diverse experiences and perspectives, and we facilitate discussions and activities that promote mutual respect and understanding.

Finally, we recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion are ongoing efforts that require continual self-reflection and improvement. We are committed to regularly evaluating our work and seeking feedback from participants and stakeholders to ensure that we are meeting our goals and upholding our values.

Customer segments:

• Indonesian young women age range 18 - 25 y.o. (high school graduates)

• Came from underserved families with limited access to higher education

• Have access to a laptop and internet connection

• Have an interest in learning new technologies (i.e. Artificial Intelligence tools)

Value propositions:

• Comprehensive entrepreneurship and AI training program designed specifically for aspiring young women in Indonesia

• Accessible entirely online, making it available to women in even the most remote areas

• Provides a supportive community for learning and collaboration with peers and instructors

• Experienced trainers who provide feedback and guidance throughout the program

• Equips participants with knowledge and skills to start a business from scratch and leverage AI tools for marketing success

Channels:

• Online marketing (social media, email marketing, websites)

• Strategic partnerships with local high schools and related organizations

Customer relationships:

• Personalized feedback and guidance from experienced trainers

• Active engagement in online community channels

• Networking opportunities with peers and trainers

Revenue streams:

• Sales from live training and recorded courses 

• Grants from foundations and other related organizations

• Donations from individuals and corporations that support the mission of the program

Key resources:

• AI tools and techniques for business marketing

• Curriculum development team

• Experienced trainers

• Online platform for delivering course content and facilitating community engagement

Key activities:

• Curriculum development

• Instruction and feedback

• Marketing and outreach

• Platform maintenance and development

Key partnerships:

• Local high schools and related organizations

• Social media influencers

Cost structures:

• Module development and trainers' fee 

• Production of the recorded course 

• Marketing and outreach costs

• Platform development and maintenance costs

• AI tools subscription

• Salary of team members

As a non-profit organization, the primary goal of AImpowered Women is to provide access to education and opportunities for underserved young women who want to start a business and leverage AI tools for success. Our focus is on securing funding through grants, donations, and partnerships with organizations that share our mission and values. We have tried to produce high-quality content with the help of volunteers and mentors who shared the same mission and values and are able to give discounts on their services. We’re able to offer low-price courses in the past that are accessible to our target audience but also help us to be financially sustainable.

We’re producing low-cost recorded courses that we sell at accessible prices which helped us to build passive income for our organization's sustainability.