From scoring goals on the soccer field to taking the initiative in the classroom, junior Smit Kothari has always found a way to stand out among his peers, leading to his creation of Ocean Lakes’s first AI Club.
“I believe the most important ability a student can have is the ability to learn. Smit is one of them. He is very self-driven and takes initiative in the classroom,” AP Computer Science A teacher and club sponsor Jack Wheeler said.
This year, Smit created the AI Club to spread awareness and educate students on its proper use.
“I first gained interest in AI through a summer camp at the Math, Science and Technology Governor’s Schools, where I learned that so many people use AI without understanding how it works,” Smit said.
At the club’s first meeting on Jan. 30, Smit educated attendees on finding the difference between real images and AI-generated images, aiming to prevent students from being manipulated by what they see on social media. Those that answered correctly to these questions had a chance to shoot a paper ball in a trash can to win candy.
“Smit is not only a hardworking student, but a really nice and kind person,” junior Vihaan Shah, a longtime friend of Smit said. ”He observes and notices some things a lot of people might miss, putting him ahead of the crowd.”
Most of all, he hopes for students to get something out of AI Club that they can hold onto after they graduate from Ocean Lakes.
“My favorite part about AI Club is the broad range of skill sets. This is because it allows beginner and experienced students [of AI] to learn and grow from each other,” Smit said.
Many students and teachers find Smit’s creation of the club to be extremely helpful, especially with the rise of AI use throughout the world.
“It’s pretty cool what Smit’s doing with his club. It provides lots of information and clears up misconceptions about AI and its use,” Wheeler said.
In the future, Smit hopes to use his experience in AI to create a change in the world.
“After high school I hope to study machine learning and AI in college to deepen my understanding of how AI can be used creatively and responsibly,” Smit said. “Ultimately, my goal is to start a business that utilizes AI to turn ideas into real world change.”
