South African startup Vambo AI is empowering users to use advanced AI in their native tongues. In April 2023, Chido Dzinotyiwei and Isheanesu Misi founded Vambo AI to create AI that “understands the languages of people in the rest of the world”. Its platform currently supports 11 African languages. “The reason why most of the world has not used AI – or explored its revolutionary power for education, economic empowerment, and more – is because it is not built in languages they understand,” Dzinotyiwei said, according to Disrupt Africa. A
Black British anti-knife crime activist Shaun Thompson, 38, has launched a legal challenge against the Metropolitan Police. The police detained the 38-year-old after live facial recognition technology wrongly identified him as a suspect. ‘Stop and search on steroids’ Thompson, who volunteers with the Street Fathers youth outreach group, described the system as ‘stop and search on steroids’ following his 20-minute detention at London Bridge station earlier this year. Returning from a volunteer shift in south London, Thompson was wrongly flagged as a suspect on the Met’s facial recognition database, leading
Kapor Foundation, Omidyar Network, and San Francisco Foundation have announced an investment of $25 million to help fund organizations focused on centering equity in the advancement of AI. The joint commitment will help fund organizations across different sectors at the inaugural Joint California Summit on Generative AI. The fund is in response to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-12-23, signed in September 2023, which will study the development, use, and risks of AI technologies. The $25M Investment The initial $25 million investment aims to drive immediate action and build momentum within
Black-owned Creative Theory Agency has launched a new campaign that uses AI to make technology more inclusive. Creative Theory Agency, founded in 2015, is a full-service creative agency that is mission-driven to bring creative equity and cultural impact to marketing moments. “What Prompted You” “What Prompted You” is a campaign-driven conversation designed to investigate AI tools’ impact and inclusivity’s role in fostering innovation. The campaign is a call to action to showcase how first-person, organic human perspectives can enhance and uplevel creativity. The agency will put up large-scale out-of-home (OOH)
Meta’s ad algorithms show racial bias by disproportionately steering Black users towards more expensive for-profit colleges, a recent study found. Researchers from Princeton and the University of Southern California have developed “Auditing for Racial Discrimination in the Delivery of Education Ads,” a third-party auditing report to evaluate racial bias in education ads, focusing on platforms like Meta. Algorithm Education Bias This method allows external parties to assess and demonstrate the presence or absence of bias in social media algorithms, an area previously unexplored in education. Prior audits revealed discriminatory practices
AiDigiTales has launched its newest initiative, the “AI for Kids” podcast, to introduce the world of AI to children. AI for Kids is a series of fun, informative, and interactive episodes aimed at children from pre-K to middle grade. This initiative represents AiDigiTales’ ongoing commitment to making AI education accessible and engaging for young minds everywhere. Engaging And Educational Content For Young Minds “AI for Kids” will be released biweekly on Tuesdays, each episode designed to simplify complex AI concepts for a young audience. The podcast aims to make AI
Microsoft Corp. and G42, a leading artificial intelligence firm from the United Arab Emirates, have unveiled plans to build a $1 billion geothermal-powered data center in Kenya. This project marks the initial phase of a multiyear strategy to boost cloud-computing capacity in East Africa. Harnessing Geothermal Energy for Sustainable Development The data center will be constructed in Olkaria, an area rich in geothermal resources, making it an ideal location for a sustainable energy project. G42 will lead the initial investment and oversee the facility’s construction. In its first phase, it
There is an alarming rise in disinformation in the media for Black Americans as the elections approach, according to a recent survey. Survey Highlights Disparities In Media Consumption And Misinformation A public opinion poll commissioned by Free Press BSP Research and the African American Research Collaborative surveyed 3,000 people in the US. The findings reveal that Black and Latino Americans are more likely to access news on platforms like Facebook and YouTube compared to their white and Asian American counterparts. This group is also more engaged with social media content,
University of South Carolina Gamecocks player Raven Johnson has secured a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Black beauty tech company Parfait. Parfait, powered by AI and facial recognition technology, aims to provide custom wig products that address two major issues: AI biases in tech and the fragmented wig-buying process for millions of Black and brown women. Founded by four women, the company has developed an algorithm to change tech interactions with communities of color. Leading New Standards For Female Athletes According to Andscape, Isoken Igbinedion, co-founder and CEO
Since early May, the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has experienced devastating floods due to torrential rain which also lead to AI-generated misinformation. At one point, the region saw four months’ worth of rainfall in just three days. This catastrophe has left over half a million people displaced and much of the state capital still submerged weeks later. It is the worst flooding disaster in Brazil’s history, with the ongoing rainy season likely prolonging the situation. AI-Generated Misinformation Spreads Amid Crisis Amid the chaos, misinformation has flourished with
