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Timnit Gebru is shaping the future of tomorrow. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Non-Linear Career Journey Gebru has always loved math, science , and music. She attended Stanford University from 2008 to 2017, earning a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in electrical engineering—the same field her father worked in. She combined her interests to launch her career at Apple, first as an audio hardware intern in 2004. A year later, she was hired as an audio systems engineer and worked part-time as an audio engineer from 2007 until her departure four years later. Gebru’s professional journey has not been linear. In 2011, she co-founded Motion Think, a company that leveraged design thinking to create solutions for small businesses. While pursuing her Ph.D. at Stanford, she co-founded and became president of Black in AI after attending one of the largest academic conferences in 2016. At that time, she realized that Black professionals were significantly...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. One of the main goals of the Trump administration has been to remove Washington’s “elites” from office. Now that billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency agency have instituted mass layoffs, some supporters have buyer’s remorse. With midterm elections coming up, it’s possible that DOGE cuts could hurt the GOP and Trump administration as long as they continue. In town halls across the country, from Georgia to Idaho to Missouri, Republican lawmakers are facing backlash from their constituents for aligning with Musk’s influence in government and continuing to spew Donald Trump’s lies. They’ve assured constituents that rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, along with implementing mass deportations, are effective policies that serve the American people. But it’s clear from the round of boos seen in videos on social media that their voters aren’t buying it....
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. Over the past week, Los Angeles County has been battling wildfires that have devastated the city. Although some of the fires can be attributed to worsening climate conditions, some politicians blame artificial intelligence. While AI has proven to be a useful tool for wildfire prediction, the substantial amount of energy and water it amasses for its use raises concerns for a state already facing water scarcity. Wildfires aren’t a rare occurrence in California. The state has always experienced either naturally occurring wildfires or arson-related ignitions. But over the past few years, worsening climate conditions have led to more frequent and increasingly destructive fires. As of the most recent occurrence, neighborhoods in Altadena, Malibu, and the coastal Pacific Palisades have sustained the most significant damage. Reports confirm that over 20,000 acres have been burned, and more than 120,000...
In a world where AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prevalent and largely shapes public perception, misinformation regarding the California wildfires is spreading rapidly across social media. Investigators are exploring various possible ignition sources for the massive, wind-driven fires that have killed at least 24 people, consumed 40,000 acres, and destroyed over 12,300 structures in Los Angeles County, per NBC News. While officials have the Hurst fire 95% contained , the Eaton and Palisades fires — among the most destructive in California’s history — are not even halfway contained and continue to burn thousands of acres. Several AI-generated visuals have circulated widely during the fires, including one that falsely depicted the iconic Hollywood sign engulfed in flames, according to CBS News. Another viral clip falsely claimed to show firefighters using women’s handbags to extinguish flames. However, an LAFD spokesperson clarified that firefighters were using standard...
Dwayne Johnson decided to fire his agents because he saw the bigger picture. Johnson first put his name on the map as a professional wrestler, inspired by his father, Rocky Johnson, who had a legendary resume within the sport and was honored as a WWE Hall of Famer. “I think I’m going to like professional wrestling,” Johnson remembered, according to a conversation with GQ. “So we fought. [My dad] didn’t want me to get into it. And then I wound up having the career that I had. And he was proud. But he also wrestled with a lot of my success, and I know that as his son.” Johnson would later find a commonality between wrestling and acting. He revealed to GQ that he pivoted attention towards Hollywood, understanding that he could still reach the masses as an actor. “When I got into the business of Hollywood and moviemaking, it’s like, ‘Okay, well, what kind of movies do I want to make? I want to make movies that hopefully are good, that don’t suck. But also reach as many people as...
Husband-and-wife duo Greg and Subrina Collier prevailed after losing their first business in a fire. The couple’s journey began in Memphis, TN, when they met at a wing restaurant, according to CBS Mornings. They then moved to Phoenix, AZ, as Greg was looking for a fresh start. He also believed investing in his culinary skills was the best way, and Subrina joined him in his pursuit. “I said if I go to Atlanta, I’m just going to be a more country me, or if I go to Chicago, it’s going to be cold me. If I go to New Orleans, it’s going to be a swamp me. S o, I knew that in order for me to figure out who I was, I needed to go a place where I didn’t think I existed,” he told the outlet. The pair then spent five years in Arizona and married in 2010. By then, Greg was looking to move back to the Southern U.S. with his eyes on Charlotte, NC. They were unable to afford the cost of rent in the area, which brought them to Rock Hill, SC. “It was a little rundown shopping center and they were...
Shannon Sharpe is calling the shots now. The former NFL player, who is now a commentator and media personality, has found greater security by turning his full attention towards his own media company, Shay Shay Media, and through podcasts such as “Club Shay Shay” and “Nightcap” featuring former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson. Notably, the K att Williams interview with “Club Shay Shay” on Jan. 3, 2024, became the most-watched interview in YouTube history, with more than 68 million views. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shannon Sharpe (@shannonsharpe84) Sharpe’s accomplishment followed a challenging exit from “Undisputed” after the 2023 NBA finals. During a panel discussion hosted by “The Black Money Tree” podcast, he acknowledges the sacrifices he made for his prior job and how he had to find the light at the end of the tunnel, which inevitably led to his next career breakthrough. “I’d be lying if I told you I thought I would be where I am right now at this point in...
Back in 1982, Michael Jackson took the music industry by storm with the release of his sixth studio album, “Thriller.” The late legend’s 34x-platinum album, NME reports, not only became his highest-selling project but also created an influence that is still heard in today’s music. However, the process of recording “Thriller” was reportedly an uphill battle for Jackson that led to major changes in his artistry.
