Here are some disturbing statistics on digital connectivity that haunt me. Over 44million households in the US do not have high-speed internet either because they can’t access it or can’t afford it according to Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Globally, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reports that 1/3rd of the world population is not connected to the internet, only 2/3rd of women use the internet, and cost continues to be a major barrier. However, all the popular AI literacy and reskilling initiatives presume that everyone has digital access so how do we address this gap between digital have’s and have-not’s?

This summer, Women in AI Ethics™ launched “AI for Communities” for public libraries, where underserved communities get access to free high-speed internet along with AI reskilling and literacy resources. (https://womeninaiethics.org/ai-for-communities/)

This weekend, we’re taking it further and testing out a new format to deliver AI literacy to an offline audience without using digital technology in collaboration with the University Open AI at the Brooklyn Public Library. It’s a series of free classes taught by immigrant teachers, professors, and academics made possible by BPL Presents and Prospect Park Alliance.

Why? Because powerful AI systems are increasingly involved in every critical sphere of our lives regardless of our digital connectivity status. Algorithms are influencing major decisions like whether you get hired, qualify for a loan, or even get access to life-saving medical care. As ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin reiterated recently, we must be careful not to let the digital divide turn into AI divide.

Join me in person if you are in New York this weekend. Registration link is below: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/university-open-air-can-virtual-20230923

#AIliteracy #digitalliteracy #newyork #AIforAll #representationmatters #inclusion #artificialintelligence #AI #internet