This Saturday, hundreds of black Atlantans attended a free training provided by Van Jones’s charity, which was a first-of-its-kind, all-day program on artificial intelligence techniques.
Atlanta’s annual Tech Week culminated this Saturday, June 15, at the Loudermilk Conference Center with the Dream Machine A.I. Academy, presented by Microsoft, Amazon, and CodeBlack.
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The Academy, which attracted 950 RSVPs, gave locals the chance to gain firsthand knowledge from some of AI’s most innovative technologists, musicians, CEOs, and inventors, including:
King Willonius
X. Eyeé, CEO Malo Santo
Jeff Clanagan, Founder of CodeBlack Films
Diya Wynn, Amazon Web Service Head of Responsible AI
and many others who participated in keynotes, fireside chats, and immersive learning experiences.
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A vibrant Juneteenth Block Party, including local talents DJ Resse and DJ Vitillaz, marked the end of the day.
In a time when many people are worried or afraid of artificial intelligence (in a pre-event survey, 28% of attendees said they were “terrified of AI but trying to figure it out”), the goal of this event was to give Atlanta’s black community access to a world of creativity, opportunity, and possibilities.
“Black people are some of the most creative people in the world,” said Van Jones. “AI tools are the most powerful creative tools in history. By putting the two together, we expect positive miracles to happen in our community.”
Participants had access to a range of interactive courses on artificial intelligence (AI) tools, which taught them how to use AI to boost creativity, grow their business, or integrate it into daily life.
Atlanta’s commercial and grassroots groups were to be inspired by the day to consider the potential of artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, it gave them the tools and information they needed to use AI to completely transform the way that labor, education, and everything creative are done in the future.
Experts from the community and leaders in the industry led the workshops. You can find the full schedule of sessions and speakers here.
Among the highlights of the day were Vince “The Voice” Bailey used Microsoft Copilot, a chatbot with generative artificial intelligence, to create avatars based on personas. Participants could then utilize their voices to bring the characters to life. Additionally, Mr. Grateful, the creator of the innovative technology company Grateful Labs, teaches participants how to build a personalized GPT that will improve their businesses and brands.
Committed to empowering people economically, promoting social justice, and using technology to effect positive change, Van Jones previously hosted a summit of this kind in Los Angeles alongside Grammy Award-winning musician will.i.am. Ashton Kutcher, Quincy Jones III, Kelly Burton, CEO of the Black Innovation Alliance, artist and advocate Joy Buolamwini, Grammy Award-winning producer and instrumentalist Larrance Dopson, and many more renowned musicians, entertainers, innovators, and experts attended the event, which aimed to increase the number of Black and Brown leaders shaping the development and deployment of AI and other advanced tech.
