Supermodel And St. Louis Native Karlie Kloss Elevates Coding Opportunities Focused On AI And...

In 2023, women received only about 20% of all collegiate computing degrees, according to the National Center for Education and Statistics.

This weekend's event near Energizer Park at CITY Point marked the continued celebration of its 10th anniversary. 5 On Your Side's Annie Krall was there hearing how the program gives young women and gender expansive teens a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and machine learning.

"They're learning both how to be critical consumers of that, how do you understand the biases, but they're also learning how to be inspired to be the creators of that technology," Osi Imeokparia, CEO Kode with Klossy, said.

Related: 'We want them to be the creators': Karlie Kloss' coding nonprofit offering free AI and machine learning workshop this weekend

"How can I be the next machine learning engineer that's going to build the next great technology around this basic idea of how we're using AI to fundamentally shift the world."

Instructors told Krall that they themselves are alums of Kode with Klossy and have seen in real-time how the program is helping to close the gender gap in STEM.

"It's less likely to be a 50/50 split or be more even, so it's really important we're teaching these girls and non-binary people to get involved now and get comfortable learning this maybe intense programming," Kode with Klossy instructor assistant Mia Hines said.

Hines is currently getting her doctorate in computer science at Washington University in St. Louis and was one of several instructor assistants giving hands-on help to the 27 young teens between 13-18 years old participating in the weekend coding marathon.

Another in-person Kode with Klossy event is slated for this summer. Applications are now available online.

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