Ensuring Diversity in AI and Exploring Limitless Possibilities as a Conceptual Technologist
Parallax Futures
Session 221
In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a pressing need to embrace diversity and multiple perspectives to unlock its full potential for humanity. This session will delve into the emerging concept of Conceptual Technologists and a new job category aimed at infusing AI with diverse perspectives and leveraging its transformative power to uplift society.
In this highly immersive interactive workshop, we will introduce participants to conceptual thinking and analysis through a short series of exercises. Through discussions about the activity, participants will gain insights into the importance of diverse viewpoints in shaping the future of AI and learn how this movement seeks to change the narrative from AI taking jobs to AI creating jobs, all while fostering a community that prioritizes the human aspect of AI over mere product development.
Why is this important?
Today's tech landscape is marred by homogeneity, with technology creation dominated by individuals from similar backgrounds and perspectives. This lack of diversity stifles innovation and limits the societal benefits of emerging technologies. Without a systematic innovation framework that embraces diversity, we risk perpetuating this cycle of sameness, hindering progress and societal advancement.
Join us as we explore how cultivating diverse perspectives in AI can lead to novel solutions, foster innovation, and address contemporary challenges with optimism and abundance thinking. Let's shift the paradigm from scarcity to possibility and pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future driven by AI people, not just products.
Kim Carson is currently CEO & Founder of Parallax Futures, a nonprofit fellowship program that aims to inspire positive futures through a new kind of innovator called Conceptual Technologists. She founded Parallax Futures because she believes in the importance of multi-dimensional diversity in technology and is passionate about changing what leadership in AI looks like and how we can use emergent technology to build a better future and improve our humanity.
Prior to Parallax Futures, Kim enjoyed a wide variety of leadership positions in both academia and the technology sector and is passionate about enabling teams of creatives, technology leaders, and innovators with the skills, mindset, and network to tackle the complex and evolving challenges of tomorrow.
Her speaking engagements at renowned events like Summit at Sea, TEDx and Baron Davis’BIG (Business Inside the Game) were not mere presentations, but fervent calls to action. She aims to inspire, inform, and empower her audience, instilling in them a sense of excitement and possibility.
Kim was recently named Success Magazine’s 2023 Women of Influence winner, 2024 finalist for Black Tech Achievement Awards for Entrepreneur of the Year, and Diversity Professional’s 2024 Women of Influence winner.
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C4. Capacity building
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C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
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C6. Enabling environment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-business
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-health
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-employment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-environment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-agriculture
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-science
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C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
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C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
C3. Access to information and knowledge: Through its workshops and community initiatives, Parallax Futures works to democratize access to knowledge about AI, empowering individuals from various backgrounds to contribute to its development.
C4. Capacity building: Parallax Futures facilitates capacity building in AI by promoting conceptual thinking and analysis, equipping participants with the skills to infuse diverse perspectives into AI development.
C5. Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs: Parallax Futures prioritizes building trust and confidence in AI by advocating for inclusive approaches that prioritize the human aspect of technology, ensuring security and ethical use.
C6. Enabling environment: Parallax Futures seeks to create an enabling environment for AI development by fostering a community that values diverse viewpoints, promoting collaboration and innovation.
C7. ICT applications: Parallax Futures explores novel AI applications that leverage diverse perspectives to address contemporary challenges, demonstrating the transformative power of inclusive AI development.
C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity, and local content: Parallax Futures recognizes the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity in AI development, advocating for the inclusion of diverse voices and narratives to create culturally sensitive AI solutions.
C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society: Parallax Futures addresses the ethical dimensions of AI development by advocating for inclusive and transparent practices that prioritize societal well-being over narrow interests, ensuring AI serves humanity as a whole.
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
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Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
SDG 4: Quality Education: Parallax Futures promotes capacity building in AI through workshops and educational initiatives, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and skill development in diverse communities.
SDG 5: Gender Equality: Parallax Futures advocates for gender diversity in AI development, working to address the gender gap in technology by empowering women and girls to participate in shaping the future of AI.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Parallax Futures supports the creation of new job categories, such as Conceptual Technologists, aimed at infusing AI with diverse perspectives, thereby contributing to economic growth and job creation in the AI sector.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Parallax Futures promotes innovation in AI by advocating for inclusive approaches that embrace diverse perspectives, fostering technological advancement and sustainable infrastructure development.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Parallax Futures addresses inequalities in the tech sector by advocating for inclusive AI development practices that prioritize diverse voices and perspectives, thereby reducing disparities and fostering a more equitable society.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Parallax Futures explores AI applications that contribute to building smarter, more inclusive cities and communities, leveraging diverse perspectives to address urban challenges and improve quality of life.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Parallax Futures promotes ethical AI development practices that prioritize societal well-being and human rights, contributing to the establishment of just and accountable institutions in the digital age.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Parallax Futures collaborates with stakeholders across sectors to promote inclusive AI development, recognizing the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable development and leveraging collective expertise for positive impact.