CNN’s Van Jones Hosts Atlanta AI Summit for Young Professionals of Color – WABE

CNN’s Van Jones is hosting what’s called the June AI Summit in Atlanta on Saturday, June 15.

This 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.

Executives from Amazon and Microsoft are among the top technology leaders gathered at the summit to hold workshops and train attendees to harness AI appropriately and responsibly.

But many are hesitant to invest in the world of AI, fearing that the technology will replace us as human beings.

According to a recently released report by Microsoft on the state of AI in the workplace, more than three-quarters of Atlanta residents who typically work at a desk use technology to do their jobs.

The report found that 80% of Atlanta-based executives believe their companies must adopt AI to remain competitive.

Microsoft cites that about 62% of Atlanta employers say they would rather hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without those skills.

Tech executives and researchers also worry that rapid development of AI without safeguards poses risks.

Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk recently signed an open letter warning that AI labs should pause development of the most advanced systems because these tools pose “profound risks to society and humanity.”

Van Jones, who is also the founder of the nonprofit Dream Machine, spoke with WABE’s “Morning Edition” to dispel these notions.

Location: Loudermilk Conference Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Date: Saturday June 15, 2024

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

Participation will be FREE, but registration is required.

Lily Oppenheimer contributed to this report.