Black in AI

Established in 2018, Black in AI (BAI) is a programmatic and membership-based nonprofit with a global footprint and mission to broaden the range of voices contributing to the development, deployment, and regulation of AI technology. With a global community of over 6,000 members across more than 100 countries, BAI undertakes a range of activities, including workshops and conferences, education and career programing, and policy-focused work. The award supports the organization’s general operations.

Black in AI aims to democratize access to the field of artificial intelligence (AI) by increasing the presence, visibility, and well-being of Black professionals and leaders within the field. The organization has four primary areas of focus: 1) advance educational pathways to support academic and career interests for Black people in the AI field, 2) address financial barriers to pursuing education and academic career opportunities in AI, 3) create opportunities to expand the visibility of Black AI practitioners, and 4) host specialized workshops and social events to build community support for Black AI practitioners. The award provides general operating support to the organization.

Black in AI is a transcontinental organization for sharing ideas, fostering collaborations and discussing initiatives to increase the presence of Black people in the artificial intelligence (AI) field. The organization hosts a vibrant online community, maintains mentoring and academic support programs for Black people in the AI field, undertakes advocacy to surface and address barriers that prevents members of its community from having equal opportunity within the AI field, and works to increase Black representation and visibility at AI conferences. The award provides general operating support to the organization.