Last week, innovators and industry leaders in artificial intelligence (AI) gathered online to share insights through free workshops, seminars, and meetings.
This event marked the first National Black AI Literacy Week, a significant expansion for the Raleigh-based Black AI Think Tank aimed at fostering AI literacy and engagement within the Black community.
Throughout the week, AI leaders covered a wide range of topics tailored to different interests and skill levels in an online event that spanned a week.
The Black AI Think Tank provided a valuable opportunity to connect with leading Black AI professionals working in consulting, ethics, innovation, entrepreneurship, finance, capital, education, Metaverse, jobs, technology, and policy. Speakers included Stefan Youngblood founder/CEO , Black AI Think Tank, Dr. Denise Turley, vice president, corporate systems, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Kate Carter, AI 2030 Global Fellow AI Strategy, Noelle Russell, chief AI officer, AI Leadership Institute, Jeneba Wint, chief AI strategist, Softlight Engineering, Shereese Floyd, Al Consultants for Nonprofits, and Antione Hines, regional director, Blacks In Technology-Mid-Atlantic.
This week, National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt will deliver the first State of the Science address on June 26.
The State of the Science event aims to bring together leaders in science and research, technology and innovation, policymaking, government, industry, and philanthropy to explore necessary actions to chart a course toward a more agile, robust U.S. science and technology enterprise that is ready to meet the nation’s current challenges and make vital advances in the future.
McNutt will explore how U.S. science and innovation are positioned to respond to rising global competition and shifting priorities for the nation’s economy, security, public health, and well-being.
Issues to be discussed include U.S. international competitiveness in science and technology, alignment of U.S. research efforts with national priorities as public and private research and development funding shifts, STEMM education to adequately prepare the next generation of leaders, and public trust in science in an era of misinformation and disinformation.
Following the State of the Science address, a panel discussion will be held, featuring Christie Aschwanden, journalist, author, and host of Scientific American’s “Uncertain” podcast; Stephanie Diem, assistant professor of nuclear engineering and physics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and 2023 cohort member of the National Academies’ New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; James Manyika, senior vice president of research, technology, and society, Google & Alphabet; E. Albert Reece, former dean and University executive vice president, University of Maryland School of Medicine; James Marshall Shepherd, associate dean for research, scholarship, and partnerships, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia; and Grace Wang, president, Worcester Polytechnic Institute.