Showing 104 results for:
Popular topics
Lightship Capital has announced the completion of a $1.6 million equity round of financing into Undock, an AI-enabled productivity platform, according to a press release . A graduate of the Winter 2020 cohort of New York’s prestigious Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA), Undock , is a patent-pending AI that connects people ranging from different organizations, calendar applications, and geographies to meetings that work. “A few times in life you use a product and know instantly that it’s transformationally better than what you have been using. That’s Undock,” General Partner at Lightship Capital, Brian Brackeen, said in a press release. “The company has it all—it solves a real problem, with beauty and elegance, and it’s got a visionary leader in Nash Ahmed. We loved him at hello and the more we dug into the company, the more confident we became that Undock is an absolute winner.” In today’s remote work landscape, Undock’s privacy centered approach to sharing availability is...
If you’re not getting enough work done in a day, you may not not be managing your time well enough. Procrastination, disorganization, and poorly defined goals can all lead to mismanagement of time. Wasted time often equates to poor work-life balance, missing deadlines and high-anxiety and stress. In most cases you don’t need more time in the day, you need to manage your time better. With today’s technology, there are so many different apps that can help you effectively manage your time and increase your productivity. Here is a list of 5 apps that will help you manage your time more effectively so you can focus on getting work done: Focus Booster The Focus Booster app uses the Pomodoro Technique to help individuals focus. Dedicated to helping you stop procrastinating, this app allows you to plan the amount of time you need to focus and take breaks. Evernote Evernote helps individuals stay super organized across different platforms. Create shortcuts that help you quickly access the...
New AI tools pop up constantly, promising to make work easier and more efficient. But with so many options, the real question isn’t which AI is the best—it’s which fits your workflow. To help navigate this evolving landscape, we looked closely at two significant platforms, ChatGPT’s Custom GPTs and Google’s Gemini. The goal? To see how they handle real-world tasks and which delivers the best experience. Custom GPTs: Smarter AI, Less Effort According to a previous AFROTECH™ report, Custom GPTs are tailored versions of ChatGPT designed for specific tasks. Instead of repeatedly typing the same prompts, users can set up a Custom GPT once and let it do the heavy lifting. Whether drafting emails, generating research summaries, or assisting with customer support, these AI assistants streamline workflows by eliminating redundancy. The right setup lets users focus on results instead of processes, making work more efficient. Gemini: Google’s Integrated AI Assistant According to its website,...
The modern workplace is evolving, yet discrimination remains a persistent issue despite growing efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive work culture . Anti-discrimination policies exist to protect employees from unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and other factors. However, recent data suggests that these policies alone are not enough to prevent bias in hiring, promotions, and workplace interactions. In Fiscal Year 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received 73,485 new discrimination charges—an alarming 20% increase from the previous year. Additionally, 61% of employees in the United States say they have witnessed workplace discrimination, signaling that many workplaces still struggle to enforce fair practices. Antidiscrimination in the modern workplace isn’t just nice to have – it’s a must. Discrimination in employment takes many forms. Retaliation is the most common complaint, making up nearly...
The future isn’t coming — it’s already here. Artificial intelligence has moved beyond sci-fi speculation to become an integral part of our daily lives, reshaping the way we work, create, and connect. At the forefront of this transformation is the rise of custom GPTs — AI models designed to meet specific needs with precision and adaptability. Whether it’s streamlining content creation, enhancing customer engagement, or optimizing complex workflows, these intelligent assistants are revolutionizing productivity. By tailoring AI to fit unique goals, professionals aren’t just working smarter, they’re redefining what’s possible in real time. The question isn’t whether AI will shape the future — it’s how we’ll harness it to shape our own. How Custom GPTs Are Changing The Game The ability to craft precise and effective prompts is essential when working with AI. As discussed in the previous AFROTECH™ article on Advanced AI Prompting Techniques , mastering AI communication is crucial to...
Google has launched Career Dreamer, an advanced artificial intelligence analysis tool that evaluates users’ skills and experiences and suggests personalized career opportunities. According to a Feb. 19, 2025 blog post from Grow With Google Founder Lisa Gevelber, Claire Thorn, a military spouse who spent nearly 20 years as a stay-at-home mom before reentering the workforce , was one of the early testers of Career Dreamer. After answering a few questions about her background and interests, she learned how to translate her life experiences into skills and new career opportunities. “(Career Dreamer) helped identify skills that I take for granted and showed me that they’re important and useful in the workforce,” said Thorn, per Google. “Now, I’m armed with the confidence of knowing that I already possess exactly what employers need.” Career Dreamer identifies patterns and connects the dots between unique experiences, educational backgrounds, skills, and interests. The platform then...
For the first time in history, five generations are working side by side in the modern workplace. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, employees bring unique values, work styles, and expectations that influence workplace dynamics. While these differences can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, businesses that embrace generational diversity can drive innovation, improve collaboration, and strengthen employee engagement. Yet, despite 83% of global executives recognizing the importance of a multigenerational workforce, only 6% have implemented unbiased recruiting processes, according to AARP. Understanding how different generations work, communicate, and respond to change allows organizations to develop a more inclusive and productive environment. Each generation has been shaped by distinct historical events and technological advancements, influencing their workplace behaviors. Traditionalists, born between 1925 and 1945, tend to be disciplined, loyal, and value hierarchical structures. Baby...
Fashion is a way of making a statement in the world. When considering how clothing can be incorporated into other industries, including the tech space, certain strategies are needed to be effective in leadership long-term. During AFROTECH™ Conference 2024 on Nov. 15, Gap Inc.’s Tamesha Hoppie-Henry, vice president of technology operations, and Blaine Beshah, director of product management, conducted a lab called “Tailoring Tech Leadership.” Hoppie-Henry and Beshah discussed the intersection of effective tech leadership and essential wardrobe pieces. The lab showcased how the essence of a clothing item can inspire company leaders looking to navigate strategically and increase the best return on investment. Hoppie-Henry and Beshah, both successful in their careers, emphasized the importance of representation in the tech field and the benefits of leveraging technological advancements. Metaphorically, both leaders talked through how a shirt or a pair of pants can align with a type of...
As new technologies emerge and transform industries, it becomes crucial for businesses to understand how to successfully introduce these innovations into their workforce. The process of adopting new technologies is not instantaneous, and employees often move through several stages before fully embracing a new tool or system. Understanding these stages can help organizations manage the transition and maximize the effectiveness of new technology. Understanding the Adoption Curve The adoption of new technologies within the workforce follows a predictable curve that reflects how individuals and groups respond to change. This curve is generally divided into several key stages, each representing a different level of acceptance and integration. These stages, based on the Diffusion of Innovations theory developed by Everett Rogers, help businesses understand the challenges and opportunities at each point of the adoption process. Understanding Early Adopter Categories When introducing new...
After creating a unique, Twix-powered and -inspired space for future Black technologists at AfroTech 2023, Mars Inc. returned to the conference this year ready to take things up several notches. The interactive installation’s effect on attendees started from a vibrant layout inspired by the iconic candy’s traditional gold and red packaging, arranged in such a way that they served as an instant pick me up for anyone in the area. Within the conference hall oasis, Mars, Inc. created a number of Twix-themed stations for candy and dessert fanatics, content creators, and techies looking for inspiration. The Creator Lab was all about connection and creativity. Attendees spent time at the Twix-inspired bracelet-making station, threading beads (in signature Twix colors) to craft fun pieces for themselves, friends, and family. The setup wasn’t just about making bracelets—it became a socializing and networking hotspot whenever attendees needed a break from the hustle and bustle on the...
The concept of work/life balance has been a significant sticking point in the social consciousness for years now, especially highlighted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and beyond. For some working individuals, going above and beyond seems to be the only way to feel valued at work, while others argue that they’re only willing to offer minimum performance for minimum payment . The value of hard work has long been a topic of debate, sparking discussions among young professionals and seasoned industry leaders alike—from boardrooms to online forums and beyond. Most recently, American tech mogul Marc Andreessen weighed in, introducing his argument for keeping the so-called “full self” out of the office. To understand the breadth of Andreessen’s comments, we’ll have to briefly unpack what it means to present your full self, dive into the collective opinion on American workplace values, and study industry trends in both social and professional spaces. It’s unlikely that we’ll...
The public release of ChatGPT in 2022 marked a massive milestone in the popularity and global interest in AI. It showed off impressive capabilities in natural language, and sparked hundreds of projects that fueled a boom in the advancement of artificial intelligence. It’s natural, with AI creeping into everything from online shopping to healthcare, that it would eventually find its way into education. Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing education by enhancing teaching methods, improving accessibility, and personalizing learning experiences. As technology continues to advance, its integration into the educational sector has the potential to reshape how students learn, educators teach, and institutions operate. AI In Education Isn’t Exactly New The term ‘artificial intelligence’ was coined at Dartmouth College in 1953, but it wasn’t until 1960 that we saw the birth of computer-assisted instruction (CAI). These programs were built on the massive, expensive computer systems of...
From one of the most impactful singles, “Where Is The Love,” to the catchy hit “Boom Boom Pow,” will.i.am has been an integral part of the music industry and still places a massive stamp on the world. As a member of the iconic music group Black Eyed Peas, the Grammy-Award winner has released many popular studio albums. Will.i.am has also played the role of record producer by working alongside other artists such as Michael Jackson, John Legend, Lady Gaga, Chris Brown, and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few. Born William Adams, will.i.am grew up in Los Angeles, CA. He has always been encouraged to pursue music and stand out. His music career began in the eighth grade, performing with a group around the city. After becoming the Black Eyed Peas, their recognition continued to soar, which landed the group a contract with Interscope Records. The Black Eyed Peas released their first studio album, “Behind The Front” in 1998. With over 25 years in the music industry, will.i.am decided to expand...