Van Jones Empowers Atlanta's Black Community Through AI - Entertainment

Van Jones Hosts Atlanta AI Academy

CNN's Van Jones recently hosted the Juneteenth Dream Machine AI Academy in Atlanta on Saturday, June 15. The event aimed to equip Black and brown students, young professionals, and small business owners with the necessary tools to lead the artificial intelligence revolution. Amazon and Microsoft executives were among the tech leaders convening at the summit to host workshops and train attendees on leveraging AI properly and responsibly. Despite concerns about AI replacing humans, the event attracted hundreds of black Atlantans seeking to gain firsthand knowledge and experience in AI techniques.

According to a recently released Microsoft report on the state of AI at work, more than three-fourths of Atlanta residents who typically work at a desk are using the technology to get their jobs done. The report also found that 80% of Atlanta-based leaders believe their companies need to adopt AI to stay competitive. Tech leaders and researchers are wary of rapid AI development without safeguards, with concerns raised by Tesla and X chief executive Elon Musk about profound risks to society and humanity.

Dream Machine A.I. Academy Highlights

Van Jones Empowers Atlanta's Black Community Through AI

The Dream Machine A.I. Academy, presented by Microsoft, Amazon, and CodeBlack, culminated Atlanta's annual Tech Week at the Loudermilk Conference Center. The event attracted 950 RSVPs and featured keynotes, fireside chats, and immersive learning experiences by innovative technologists, musicians, CEOs, and inventors. Participants had access to interactive courses on AI tools to boost creativity, grow their businesses, or integrate AI into daily life. The goal of the event was to provide Atlantas black community with access to creativity, opportunity, and possibilities through AI tools.

In a pre-event survey, 28% of attendees expressed fear of AI but were eager to understand it. Van Jones emphasized the creative potential of AI tools, stating that by combining them with the creativity of black communities, positive miracles can happen. The event aimed to inspire both commercial and grassroots groups to consider the potential of AI and transform the future of labor, education, and creativity.

Empowering Black Community Through AI

Van Jones, known for his commitment to empowering people economically and promoting social justice, previously hosted a similar summit in Los Angeles alongside prominent figures like will.i.am, Ashton Kutcher, and Quincy Jones III. The event aimed to increase the number of Black and Brown leaders shaping the development and deployment of AI and other advanced technologies. Participants at the Dream Machine A.I. Academy engaged in interactive sessions led by industry experts, exploring the transformative potential of AI in various aspects of life and business.

Experts from the community and industry led workshops on utilizing AI tools to create avatars based on personas and building personalized GPTs to enhance businesses and brands. The event showcased the intersection of creativity, technology, and social change, highlighting the importance of diverse voices in shaping the future of AI innovation. Through initiatives like the Dream Machine A.I. Academy, Van Jones continues to champion the advancement and inclusion of underrepresented communities in the tech industry.