Google’s latest AI tool, Gemini, designed to create diverse images, has been temporarily stopped after sparking controversy over its depiction of historical figures. AI Tool Gemini Gemini was made to create realistic images based on users’ descriptions in a similar manner to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Like other models, it is trained not to respond to dangerous or hateful prompts and to introduce diversity into its outputs. However, users reported that Gemini, in its attempt to avoid racial bias, often generated images with historically inaccurate representations of gender and ethnicity. For example,
The 2024 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl Career Fair is set to open doors of tech opportunities for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Scheduled for February 22nd and 23rd at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the event is specifically designed to bridge the gap between graduation and careers for HBCU students. Opening Avenues In Tech And Beyond The HBCU Legacy Bowl Fair is an initiative presented by the New Orleans Saints. The exclusive event is limited to juniors, seniors, and recent graduates (classes of 2022,
Google has announced its cloud region in Johannesburg, South Africa, is operational, the first on the continent. Africa’s internet economy is estimated to reach $180 billion by 2025, accounting for 5.2% of the continent’s gross domestic product. Google alone has committed $1 billion to boost Africa’s digital transformation, recognizing that critical drivers of the continent’s growth will include investing in infrastructure, nurturing the growing tech talent pool, and enabling a vibrant startup ecosystem. Now, a year after the company picked Johannesburg as its first African site, the cloud region is
Google has purchased Edlyft’s AI tutor – a generative AI co-pilot for college students studying computer science. Erika Hairston and Arnelle Ansong, two long-time friends, founded Edlyft in 2020 to support Black college students and adults enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. Their digital platform connects learners to inclusive mentorship, online group tutoring, live and recorded sessions, and personalized study tools, enabling them to succeed in their classes and secure high-paying jobs. Over the past two years, Edlyft collaborated with Google through their Google Tech Exchange, teaching applied data structures to Historically
After making pledges following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, companies such as Google have cut back on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and hiring. Following Floyd’s murder in 2020, companies set pledges to prioritize DEI. Between June and August 2020, there was a 55% increase in corporate DEI roles, and leading corporations pledged $12.3 billion to fight racism. Google, in particular, aimed to improve the representation of underrepresented groups in leadership by 30% by 2025 and address representation issues in hiring, retention, and promotions. Over the last year, however,
In 2023, the tech industry witnessed both advancements and persistent challenges concerning the experiences of Black and Brown individuals. Some companies are making strides in diversity and inclusion efforts, incorporating initiatives such as mentorship programs and targeted hiring practices. However, the sector has grappled with the complex intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) issues and ongoing legal battles against affirmative action. Concerns regarding biased algorithms and AI systems perpetuating discrimination have prompted discussions about the ethical use of technology in hiring and workplace practices. However, no matter how good or bad
Vanessa Kingori OBE, chief business officer at Condé Nast Britain and Vogue European business advisor, is set to leave the media giant to join Google in 2024. Among her many accolades, the Kenya-born media mogul was the first Black publisher for Condé Nast Britain and the first woman publishing director in British Vogue’s 105-year history. Top role at Google Her new position as Managing Director of Tech, Media, and Telecoms at Google marks a strategic shift for the accomplished executive. She forms part of a trio of female senior executive hires. “We
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has announced a new partnership with Google. It aims to highlight Google’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) platform systems for young college talent. SWAC is considered one of the premier Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCU) conferences in the country, and currency ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alums playing with professional sports teams. The Initative Through the initiative, SWAC and Google are focused on providing an innovative approach to engage students in tech during their college tenure,
Google has announced an additional $2 million investment in Morehouse College and Hampton University as part of an ongoing collaboration with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). According to UNCF, Google has invested over $50 million over a number of years to elevate talent and innovation at Historically Black Universities (HBCUs). Supporting students to pursue tech careers Morehouse College and Hampton University will receive $1 million each to invest in technical infrastructure aimed to support in-class and remote learning. The universities will also develop curriculum and career support programs for
Google and Howard University have announced a new partnership, Project Elevate Black Voices, to build a high-quality African-American English (AAE) speech dataset. The new partnership will allow Howard University to share the dataset with those looking to improve speech technology while establishing a framework for responsible data collection, ensuring the data benefits Black communities. Google has confirmed that the university will retain ownership of the dataset and licensing. Automatic Speech Recognition and Black People Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology allows humans to use their voices to speak with a computer
