ASCEND

ASCEND is an educational initiative organized by the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group at the Informatics Institute of Technology. The series is dedicated to connecting undergraduates with emerging technologies and industry expertise to prepare them for the future of the tech sector.

The initiative hosted its second online session on May 1, 2026, under the theme "Building with AI: From LLMs to Real-World Applications". Conducted by Mr. Sahan Dissanayaka, a Data Scientist II at Air Arabia Group, the event provided a comprehensive foundation in modern artificial intelligence systems and the rapidly evolving world of Large Language Models (LLMs).

During the session, participants learned how organizations leverage intelligent systems to automate workflows, enhance products, and personalize user experiences. Drawing on his practical industry experience, Mr. Dissanayaka guided students through the actual engineering practices behind AI-driven solutions. He explored advanced concepts such as prompt engineering, API integration, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), semantic search, AI agents, and deployment strategies.

Beyond technical application, the event emphasized professional development by highlighting the growing demand for AI talent. Students were introduced to specialized career pathways, including roles like AI Engineer, Generative AI Engineer, and AI Solutions Architect. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A and gave attendees actionable advice on the technical skills, projects, and continuous learning strategies needed to build a successful career in the AI industry.