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AI

Usher’s New Look (UNL) and IBM have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration to foster career readiness in AI and professional workplace skills. UNL is a 501c3 organization founded by Usher Raymond IV in 1999 that supports a vision that all youth should be afforded the chance to unlock their full potential. Transforming under-resourced youth  IBM SkillsBuild is a free education program focused on underrepresented communities in tech. The partnership with UNL is set to transform the lives of thousands of high school and college students, especially those from underrepresented communities in technology. “Joining

Recent research has raised alarming concerns about covert racism in AI language models. Experts from the Allen Institute for AI, the University of Oxford, Stanford University, LMU Munich, and the University of Chicago conducted the study. It revealed that these models, including GPT4, manifest bias against African American Vernacular English (AAE) speakers.  This troubling revelation brings to light how AI can perpetuate racial stereotypes, leading to unfair and discriminatory outcomes. What Did The Study Find? The study, co-authored by Valentin Hofmann, Pratyusha Ria Kalluri, Dan Jurafsky, and Sharese King, found

Recent findings from a comprehensive review have highlighted biases in commonly used medical devices and technologies that can harm people of color. These include optical medical devices like pulse oximeters, AI-assisted devices, and polygenic risk scores (PRS) in genomics.  Biases In Medical Devices The review was initiated by the UK’s former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, and conducted by a panel of experts. “Making sure the healthcare system works for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, is paramount to our values as a nation,” Junior Health Minister Andrew Stephenson told The Guardian. “It supports our

Tennis star Venus Williams has brought her design talents to Palazzo, a generative AI-based interior design platform bridging the gap between design and personalization. The service, co-founded by Williams, Raffi Holzer, and Edward Lando, allows users to reimagine their living spaces with the help of advanced technology. Palazzo Palazzo introduces a new approach to interior design, blending the ease of technology with design expertise.  Users can upload photos of their rooms and, through a conversation with an AI chatbot, witness a convincing transformation of their space. Palazzo, currently in beta, holds vast

In the run-up to the 2024 US presidential election, an alarming trend has emerged as supporters of former President Donald Trump are creating AI-generated fake images of Black voters.  What Is Happening? This tactic is seen as a sophisticated effort to sway African American support towards the Republican party. BBC Panorama’s investigation uncovered numerous deepfakes portraying Black individuals as Trump supporters.  While there’s no direct link to Trump’s campaign, these images feed into a narrative of Trump’s popularity within the Black community. “There have been documented attempts to target disinformation

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is leading a significant initiative to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) remain central as AI technology evolves. CBC Chairman Steven Horsford, D-Nev., and Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., announced the launch of an artificial intelligence policy series in a recent virtual press conference.  The AI Policy Series The series aims to shield Black Americans from potential injustices arising from AI systems. Recognizing the influence of AI technologies, Horsford emphasized Congress’ responsibility to lead the way in understanding and shaping trends that profoundly affect their constituents’ lives and livelihoods.  Clarke told reporters, “True innovation

Black Tech Nation Ventures (BTN.vc), a venture firm based in Pittsburgh, has announced the final close of a $50 million inaugural fund.  BTN.vc This fund specifically targets software startups led by founders from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, including Black, Latinx, Indigenous, female, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. BTN.vc’s founding in 2020 resulted from a collaboration between three serial entrepreneurs, Kelauni Jasmyn, David Motley, and Seán Sebastian. The focus addresses the long-standing issue of inequity in funding and anticipates significant returns within the venture industry. “We set up BTN.vc to equip and train a

In honor of this year’s Black History Month theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” we are exploring the intersection of the Black arts and tech. We have curated a listicle of films that showcase how Black innovators have merged their artistic vision with technological processes. From the untold stories of African-American mathematicians in NASA to the futuristic visions of Afrofuturism, these films span a broad spectrum, reflecting the diversity and richness of Black contributions to technology. Hidden Figures  This film tells the true story of three African American women working at

John Henry, a 31-year-old Dominican-American entrepreneur, is revolutionizing the auto insurance market with his innovative company, LOOP.  The B Corp car insurance firm uses predictive models and real-time driving data to create more equitable rates, particularly for underserved communities. LOOP  Established in 2020, LOOP has made remarkable strides in a short period.  By 2023, the company boasted over 10,000 members and reported $26.7 million in Direct Written Premiums, reflecting a staggering 230% growth yearly.  This success has been marked by over $30 million in venture capital from notable investors like

Filmmaker and entrepreneur Tyler Perry recently halted an $800 million expansion of his Atlanta-based studio due to the advancements in AI. Perry’s pause on expanding his 330-acre studio, which would have added 12 soundstages, underscores the disruptive potential of AI in the entertainment industry. AI’s Capabilities  During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Perry expressed his awe at OpenAI’s Sora’s capabilities in particular. Sora can generate vivid and complex video scenes merely from text descriptions, potentially eliminating the need for location shooting or set building. “Being told it can do

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