CNN’s Van Jones hosts Atlanta AI academy for young professionals of color – WABE

CNN’s Van Jones is hosting what’s called the Juneteenth Dream Machine AI Academy in Atlanta on Saturday, June 15. 

The free, one-day event aims to equip Black and brown students, young professionals and small business owners with the tools needed to lead the artificial intelligence revolution.

Amazon and Microsoft executives are among the big-wig tech leaders convening at the summit to host workshops and train attendees to leverage AI properly and responsibly. 

But many are apprehensive about investing in the AI universe, concerned that the technology is replacing us as humans. 

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 found that 80% of Atlanta-based leaders believe their company needs to adopt AI to stay competitive. 

Microsoft cites that roughly 62% of Atlanta employers say they’d rather hire a less-experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without them. 

Tech leaders and researchers are also concerned that rapid AI development without safeguards poses risks.

Tesla and X chief executive Elon Musk recently signed an open letter warning that AI labs should pause development of the most advanced systems as the tools present “profound risks to society and humanity.”

Van Jones, who is also the founder of the non-profit Dream Machine, sat down with WABE’s “Morning Edition” to dispel these notions.

Location: Loudermilk Conference Center, Atlanta, GA

Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024

Time: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 9 a.m.)

Attendance will be FREE, but registration is required.

Lily Oppenheimer contributed to this report.