Wini University, an AI-focused university, is set to open in Epe, Lagos, as first reported by Voice of Nigeria. As the first university of its kind in Nigeria, Wini University aims to equip Nigerian youth with hard-hitting skills in artificial intelligence and make Africa a hub in the global AI market. The university draws inspiration from Qatar’s AI university, which takes top talent worldwide; this Nigerian project has been in the pipeline since 2016. A group of people from Boston and Nigeria started establishing the foundation for the university. After
BlackRock Inc. executive Adebayo Ogunlesi has joined OpenAI’s board of directors. The billionaire investor has experience in infrastructure investing, aligning with OpenAI’s to expand data centers and energy resources to grow AI development. Ogunlesi, a senior managing director and board member at BlackRock, joined the company last year after it bought his previous business, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), for around $12 billion, making him a billionaire. Who is Adebayo Ogunlesi? Ogunlesi created GIP in 2006 before spending 23 years at Credit Suisse, holding several senior positions such as Executive Vice
Operation HOPE and Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business has announced the launch of the AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project (AILP3). This initiative aims to equip underserved populations across Georgia with the tools needed to succeed in an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). The announcement was made during the 10th Annual Hope Global Forums on December 11, 2024, an event dedicated to financial empowerment and creating pathways to economic mobility. A Comprehensive Plan to Equip Students for an AI Economy AILP3 will deliver a
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has made history by securing a $1 million grant from Google to establish the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research. HBCU Makes History This marks the first artificial intelligence-focused institute at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). “This is a huge day,” said Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton, according to CBS17. The institute will prioritize workforce development and promote equity in AI, ensuring students are well-prepared to lead in a rapidly advancing field. Preparing Students for the Future of AI Scheduled to
Amazon is stepping up its efforts to close the digital divide with the launch of its AWS Education Equity Initiative, as first reported by Fortune. The program commits $100 million over the next five years to support underserved and underrepresented communities in accessing educational technology. Breaking Barriers With Cloud and AI The initiative, funded through AWS cloud credits, will help educational organizations create and expand digital learning opportunities. Swami Sivasubramanian, AWS Vice President of AI and Data, emphasized to Fortune that AI is a transformative tool, likening its significance to
Colorintech has launched an initiative, “AI for Everyone,” backed by over $1 million in funding from the Juniper Networks Foundation. This program is set to provide accessible AI training and career opportunities for underrepresented communities across the UK. According to a press release shared with POCIT, the goal is to reach 30,000 individuals through awareness campaigns and train 5,000 people in AI skills by 2027. Training And Awareness To Close The AI Skills Gap Building on its eight-year history of promoting diversity in tech, Colorintech will develop a free AI
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) is making history as the first university in North Carolina to offer a standalone undergraduate degree in artificial intelligence (AI). Approved by the UNC System Board of Governors, this Bachelor of Science program will be available at the nation’s largest historically Black university and the leading producer of Black engineering graduates, starting in fall 2025. Meeting Workforce Demands NC A&T’s program aims to meet the demand of increasing AI use by equipping students with expertise in advanced AI systems and applied
Canadian rapper Drake has filed a pre-action petition in New York State court against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify USA Inc., accusing the music giants of artificially boosting the streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s song, Not Like Us. According to Drake, the alleged scheme was part of a strategy to amplify Lamar’s track at his expense. Claims of Artificial Inflation Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, asserts that UMG employed bots and discounted licensing rates to mislead listeners about the song’s popularity. Released in May 2024, Not Like Us broke
Dave Clark, a generative AI filmmaker, has co-founded Promise, a new Los Angeles-based entertainment studio which integrates generative AI into film and TV production. Promise recently secured seed funding from Peter Chernin’s North Road Company and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The exact amount of funding has not been disclosed. Integrating GenAI Into The Production Process Clark, whose genAI short film Battalion explored the experiences of the only Black unit to storm Omaha Beach during D-Day, will operate as Promise’s chief creative officer. Alongside Clark are co-founders are industry veterans George Strompolos
Recently, REVOLT, a prominent Black-owned multimedia company, announced the launch of Black Shift. Developed by its creative agency, Six Zeros, Black Shift is an AI-powered research platform designed to help brands better understand and engage with Gen Z, particularly within the Black community. This initiative dives into the aspirations, values, and behaviors shaping one of the most culturally influential generations. A Data-Driven Approach to Understanding Gen Z Black Shift combines over 500 hours of interviews with insights from 700 Gen Z participants across the US. Using personalized AI tools, the
