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
VC firm Fearless Fund has faced another setback in its plans to issue grants to Black women business owners as the court has ruled against them. On Monday, an appeals court for the 11th Circuit ruled against Fearless, upholding a preliminary injunction against their Strivers Grant program. The court ruling said that the grant likely violates the Civil Rights Act of 1886, which bans the use of race in contracts. What Has Happened So Far? The American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), founded by Edward Blum, attacked the Fearless Fund
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
Pinterest has announced that it is expanding its Creator Inclusion Fund to the Pinterest Inclusion Fund, allowing founders to join. Pinterest Inclusion Fund The now-called Pinterest Inclusion Fund began in 2021 to help give more opportunities to underrepresented content creators. It has now expanded as they have teamed up with Shopify’s Build Black and Build Native programs to allow small business owners who are from or who serve underrepresented backgrounds to apply for the Creator Inclusion Fund. Previously, only traditional content creators applied. “The Pinterest Inclusion Fund is focused on
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
Uncle Nearest is the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in history, driving a business worth $1.1 billion, according to Forbes and ISWR data. Uncle Nearest Black woman-owned distillery Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey was launched in 2016 by Fawn Weaver and quickly ascended to global recognition. The company’s rise is a tribute to Nearest Green, the first-known African American master distiller who taught Jack Daniel the secrets of distilling. Expanding its presence to over 30,000 stores, bars, hotels, and restaurants across 12 countries, the business also has a 432-acre distillery in Shelbyville,
Latina-led fintech platform Hello Alice has announced the dismissal of lawsuit brought against it by America First Legal, which alleged its grants for Black business amounted to racial discrimination. What Happened? In October 2023, Hello Alice found itself at the center of a legal battle when America First Legal, Mitchell Law PLLC, and Ashbrook Byrne Kresge LLC filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination. This was due to the company’s initiative, which, in partnership with Progressive Insurance, provided $25,000 in grants to 10 Black-owned businesses. However, Hello Alice maintained its stance
Félix Pago, a fast-growing fintech startup, has recently raised $15.5 million in a Series A funding round to enhance its services across Latin America and the US, according to TechCrunch. Revolutionizing Remittances With WhatsApp Félix Pago’s approach leverages WhatsApp as its main interface, with a chatbot that makes it simple to send and receive cross-border money transfers, even with a voice message. This choice is strategic, given WhatsApp’s extensive regional user base. Users in the US initiate transactions via the WhatsApp chatbot, completing the final step by securely entering debit
