AI That Can Read: Robots & Coding with Ahmed (Ages 10-12)

A hands-on AI, robotics and coding workshop for children aged 10–12, taking place at Blanchardstown Library in Dublin on 29 August 2026. ## Learn how computers read How can a machine recognise a printed letter, decipher handwriting or read words aloud? In this interactive two-hour session, Ahmed will help young learners explore the technology behind these everyday AI capabilities through practical challenges and experiments. Participants will be introduced to Optical Character Recognition (OCR), the technology computers use to convert images of letters and words into readable text. They will test how recognition systems improve through practice and try real-world AI tools that can read text aloud. Rather than treating artificial intelligence as a mysterious black box, the workshop gives children an accessible way to investigate how modern systems learn and communicate. ## What children will do During the workshop, participants will: - Explore how AI recognises letters, words and handwriting - Learn the basic purpose of OCR technology - Test how computers can improve with practice - Experiment with AI tools that turn written text into speech - Program Photon to complete robot challenges - Build a simple chatbot - Develop an introductory understanding of coding and machine communication The combination of physical robot programming, text-recognition activities and chatbot creation makes this more than a screen-based coding lesson. Children will see several forms of AI in action and connect abstract ideas with tasks they can test for themselves. ## Who is it for? This workshop is specifically designed for children aged 10–12. Its practical, guided format provides a child-friendly introduction to artificial intelligence and coding, with no prior experience requirements stated on the event page. It is well suited to curious young people who want to understand robots, experiment with technology or discover how computers interpret human language. The session runs in person from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday 29 August 2026 at Blanchardstown Library, Civic Centre, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. It is organised by Fingal County Libraries.… Register for this event