UPG Viewer

22 Years Old

American Samoa

Female

Yes! That is really who you are!

My name is Zaneb Akhtar, and I’m a 22-year-old AI student from Pakistan. My journey has been full of highs and lows, shaping me into the person I am today. One of the hardest moments of my life was losing my mother during COVID-19. It turned my world upside down and made me question everything. But it also gave me a deeper sense of purpose—I realized how fragile life is and how important it is to use our time to make a difference.

Studying artificial intelligence has been a way for me to channel my curiosity and passion for problem-solving into something meaningful. I’ve taken on leadership roles in organizations like GDSC and Hult Prize, which taught me the power of teamwork and how even small actions can create a ripple effect of positive change.

That said, it hasn’t always been easy. I sometimes struggle with self-doubt, questioning if I’m good enough or capable of achieving my dreams. But over time, I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel that way—it’s what keeps me grounded and pushes me to keep growing.

My ultimate goal is to use AI to make education accessible and help underserved communities. I believe that even in the darkest moments, we can find strength to create something beautiful and meaningful. This is what drives me every day—to honor my mother’s memory and to make her proud by helping others.

Leadership Experience, Passion for Sustainability, Adaptability, Empathy and Teamwork, and Eagerness to Learn

The strength I chose is Adaptability.

Last year, I was working on a project to develop a real estate app as part of my machine learning course. The project required integrating multiple algorithms, including decision trees, regression, and neural networks, to predict house prices and recommend areas based on customer preferences.

Midway through the project, we encountered a major issue—the initial model we built wasn’t providing accurate predictions due to a lack of relevant data. Instead of sticking to the original approach, I adapted by rethinking the entire methodology. I worked with my team to collect more diverse datasets, improved data preprocessing, and adjusted our models to handle the new input.

This experience pushed me to learn new techniques and tools quickly and adjust my approach, ultimately leading to a more accurate and functional final product. The project was successful, and it was a rewarding reminder of the importance of adaptability when facing unexpected challenges.

Yes, I have volunteered at the Career Expo at my university. During the event, I helped set up booths, guided attendees, and provided information about various internship and job opportunities. I also assisted with organizing workshops and networking sessions for students looking to connect with potential employers.

From this experience, I learned a lot about communication and leadership. I had to adapt to different situations quickly, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and interact with people from diverse backgrounds. It taught me the importance of being organized and proactive, and how a small effort can make a big difference in creating a smooth, productive event. Volunteering at the Career Expo not only improved my teamwork skills but also gave me a sense of fulfillment, knowing I was helping others navigate important career opportunities.

Secondary: I have completed secondary school

If I were to lead a sustainability-related project, I would focus on making **education accessible to everyone**, especially those who face barriers like financial struggles or lack of resources. I believe education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering individuals to create positive change in their own lives and their communities. It’s heartbreaking to know that so many people around the world still don’t have the chance to learn simply because they can’t afford it.

I would work to provide free educational resources and support, especially to those who need it most. Education can unlock opportunities, help people make better choices for the environment, and ultimately help build a more sustainable world. When people are given the tools to learn, they can make a real difference—not just for themselves but for their communities and the world at large.

On a personal level, I’ve always felt deeply about issues like world hunger. I think it’s incredibly important that we work together to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry. By focusing on sustainable farming and food distribution methods, we can provide long-term solutions that benefit both people and the planet. These are the kinds of issues that drive me to make a difference—issues that are deeply connected to human dignity and the future of our world.

One of the main challenges I expect to face while working on this project is securing funding and resources. Education and food security are large-scale issues that often require significant financial investment to make a meaningful impact. Convincing potential donors, organizations, or even local governments to support such a project can be difficult, especially when there are many competing needs.

To overcome this, I plan to start small, focusing on one community or a specific group that could benefit the most. I would seek partnerships with local organizations, universities, and NGOs that already have experience in these areas. By collaborating with others, I can pool resources and expertise, making the project more feasible. Additionally, I would explore crowdfunding campaigns and social media to raise awareness and gather support from individuals who are passionate about making a difference.

Another challenge could be **overcoming resistance to change**. Some people may be hesitant to adopt new ideas or methods, especially if they’ve been used to the same system for a long time. To address this, I would work on building trust within the community by involving local leaders and influencers. I believe that when people see others they respect supporting the cause, they’re more likely to get involved. I would also make sure to educate and involve the community in the project from the beginning, ensuring that they feel ownership over the initiative and see the benefits for themselves.

Finally, sustaining long-term impact can be a challenge. Education and food security require ongoing effort, and it’s easy for initial enthusiasm to fade over time. To tackle this, I would create systems for continuous feedback and improvement. I would work with local educators and community members to ensure that the project evolves and adapts to their changing needs. By making it a community-driven initiative, I can help ensure that the project’s impact is lasting and sustainable.

About 30 people

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