Our Work

Community Engagement

Community is central to our work and vision. From online workshops to annual flagships, we create opportunities for members and stakeholders to stay connected and share ideas with other industry thought leaders. Our community engagement work is comprised of the following four key elements: Professional Membership, General Events, Conferences & Socials, and Ecosytem Support.

Professional Membership

Black in AI (BAI) welcomes new members anywhere in the world who have a voice in the direction, application, and regulation of artificial intelligence. Membership to the BAI community is free for AI practitioners and collaborators.

General Events

Throughout the year, BAI hosts impactful virtual and in-person events, and collaborates with like-minded organizations to create programming that supports and celebrates our community-at-large.

Conferences & Socials

BAI believes in the importance of creating space for community members to connect and share ideas. To foster these connections, we host socials and workshops at key AI/ML conferences, so we can innovate responsibly and along the way, accelerate our technological and economic success.

Ecosystem Support

We support fellow AI organizations to share resources and advance our mission of creating a more equitable AI ecosystem.

Education and Career Programs

We prepare emerging AI practitioners to excel in education, the competitive employment marketplace, and beyond. Our programs support participants under four signature, career-enhancing interests: Emerging Leaders in AI Grad Prep Program, Research Travel Grant Program, BlackAIR Summer Research Program, and Postdoc Bridge Program.

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Initiatives

We empower our community in the AI field through three key initiatives: Civil Society & Policy, Research & Advocacy, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

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Civil Society & Policy

BAI stays engaged in key policy conversations around AI’s impact on our community to mitigate its potential harms and advocate for its broader representation and inclusive development.

Research & Advocacy

We eliminate structural barriers by serving as a resource that supports underserved populations as they apply to graduate programs, navigate graduate school, and enter the postgraduate AI field

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Black in AI seeks to empower innovators in the AI field. Through the Black in AI Entrepreneurship & Innovation Network, we strive to bridge funding gaps and accelerate the growth of AI startups led by individuals of African descent.

Our Partnerships

Our reach is our strength. We collaborate with mission-aligned organizations to expand and amplify our impact across the field of AI and beyond

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TeachAI

We partner with TeachAI, a collaborative of education leaders and technology experts, to guide the safe, effective, and responsible use of AI in schools. When we connect the discussion of teaching with AI to teaching about AI, we can prioritize equitable access and a better understanding of how to best implement artificial intelligence in educational settings. Our partnership with TeachAI ensures that AI is integrated thoughtfully and inclusively, an investment that cultivates a better future of learning for Black students and ultimately all students.

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