Singer and producer will.i.am, along with political commentator Van Jones, recently organized a groundbreaking tech summit in Los Angeles. The aim of the event was to highlight the importance of minority representation in the tech industry and to support future leaders in this field. Titled “Make Wakanda Real,” the summit aimed to bring to life the innovative gadgets depicted in the movie “Black Panther.”
Key Takeaway
The tech summit hosted by will.i.am and Van Jones aimed to promote diversity in the tech industry. The event highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to address the needs of underserved communities, particularly in the medical and legal fields. It also encouraged fruitful discussions on the advancement of AI and its influence on society.
The event took place at Will’s FYI Campus and saw the attendance of several high-profile celebrities such as Tiffany Haddish, Ashton Kutcher, Jason Lee, and Quincy Jones III. Additionally, the guest list included numerous innovators, tech experts, and entrepreneurs who were eager to share their insights and experiences.
Ashton Kutcher, in particular, played an influential role in the summit. Earlier in the year, he had raised hundreds of millions of dollars through his VC firm and emphasized during the event how he believes artificial intelligence (AI) can contribute to bridging the gap in underserved communities, especially in the medical and legal sectors.
The summit also saw virtual participation from notable figures in the tech industry. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, actor Boris Kodjoe, InfectionAI co-founder Mustafa Suleyman, Waye Talks founder Sinead Bovell, and Black Ambition Opportunity Fund CEO Felecia Hatcher all made valuable contributions through their virtual appearances.
One of the key topics of the evening revolved around the rapid advancement of AI. During a panel discussion, will.i.am engaged in a debate with an AI bot alongside Van Jones and Larrance “Rance” Dopson, a producer from 1500 Or Nothin’. The discussion explored the possibility of sentient AI and its potential to conquer humans. Though experts ultimately debunked the theory, the conversation with the AI bot was remarkably realistic.
