The piece argues for the need for education and training initiatives to prepare communities for the rise of AI. It suggests that the government and private sector should fund and support AI education, particularly in communities of color. This could include scholarships, coding boot camps, and mentorship programs. The article also highlights the work of STEM Global Action and its affiliates in introducing and sustaining STEM learning for children, preparing them for the technological changes of the 21st century.
Key takeaways:
- The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) poses a significant challenge to society, particularly to the workforce, with an estimated 20 to 50% of white-collar jobs at risk of being replaced by AI functions.
- AI systems can perpetuate and exacerbate existing inequalities due to biased algorithms and lack of diversity in the tech industry. Facial recognition technology, for instance, has higher error rates for darker-skinned individuals and women.
- The government and private sector can enhance AI comprehension by funding and supporting AI educational initiatives, particularly in communities of color. This includes providing scholarships or grants for coding boot camps, AI courses, or higher education degrees in pertinent fields.
- Organizations like STEM Global Action are implementing strategies to introduce and sustain science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning to children, preparing them for the technological challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.