Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fadzidah Binti Abdullah is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design (KAED), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She has more than 28 years of academic experience at IIUM, where she has progressed from Assistant Lecturer to Associate Professor and previously served as Head of the Department from 2007 to 2009 and as an Academic Advisor. Prior to joining IIUM, she worked as an Architect with the Public Works Department of Malaysia (JKR) and with RSP Arkitek Sdn. Bhd. in Kuala Lumpur. She holds a Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK (2006), an M.Sc. in Computer Aided Environmental Design from the University of Sheffield, UK (2000), and a B.Arch. from Texas Technological University, Texas, USA (1992). Her research interests encompass architectural education and studio pedagogy, augmented and mixed-reality learning, Islamic and Malay architectural heritage, universal design and accessibility, and sustainable and vernacular architecture. Her research and scholarly work demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary interest in technology-enhanced education, particularly the application of augmented reality, blended learning, artificial intelligence, and digital tools in architectural education. Her recent publications include research on the utilisation of augmented reality for active learning in architectural education, the incorporation of artificial intelligence into architectural curricula, and the development of AI in architectural education and the built environment. Dr. Fadzidah has also undertaken research and consultancy projects involving augmented reality-based learning, heritage architecture, sustainable architecture, universal design, Islamic architectural heritage, and architectural education. Among her research projects are studies on AI-related architectural education, augmented-reality-based learning materials, adaptive e-learning, heritage architecture, and sustainable Malay Islamic architecture. Her conference presentations further demonstrate her experience in architectural education, technology-enhanced learning, sustainability, heritage conservation, environmental design, and multidisciplinary research. Her work has been presented at international conferences in Malaysia and abroad, including events in Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Italy, India, Poland, Switzerland, and Spain

Title : Take Charge: Empowering Women Through AI Literacy for Financial Independence Abstract : Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming education, employment, entrepreneurship, and everyday life, creating new opportunities for women while also risking the exclusion of those without digital and AI skills. This paper explores how AI literacy can become a practical tool for women’s empowerment by encouraging women and girls to learn AI from an early age, build confidence in using digital tools, and make informed choices about their education, careers, and financial futures. The growing gender gap in digital and AI literacy highlights the need to make AI education more accessible, particularly for women with limited technical backgrounds or access to digital training. The paper examines how basic AI skills can improve productivity, employability, entrepreneurship, and opportunities for financial independence. It adopts a qualitative exploratory approach through a review of literature on AI literacy, digital inclusion, women’s empowerment, and the future of work, supported by examples of practical AI applications in education, employment, entrepreneurship, and small businesses. AI can help women complete tasks more quickly and effectively, including writing, research, translation, lesson preparation, graphic design, marketing, business planning, customer communication, and developing digital products and services. These applications show that using AI effectively does not require advanced programming or technical expertise; it requires curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the confidence to experiment. The paper therefore positions AI not as a complex technology reserved for specialists, but as an accessible tool that women can use to expand their capabilities, create new income opportunities, and participate more confidently in the digital economy. Choosing to learn AI today can help women take greater charge of their opportunities, careers, and financial independence tomorrow.