DURHAM, NC (WTVD) — North Carolina Central University believes Google’s $1 million grant is a game-changer for HBCUs as artificial intelligence continues to shape the future.
“Many people know us for our law school. They will now know us for AI,” says Dr. Siobahn Day Grady, assistant professor and program director of Information Sciences.
For the past five years, she has led an artificial intelligence equity research laboratory on campus, introducing students to cutting-edge AI projects. She believes the $1 million grant will help many more people learn and become industry leaders.
“The goal is to impact 200 students in two years with this investment. That looks like doing research, mentoring, etc.,” Grady says. “I believe our students will be well prepared, not only from a technical perspective, but also from a confidence perspective to not only excel in, but also lead, the AI workforce.”
Many industries are making greater use of artificial intelligence, including Google, one of the largest technology companies in the world.
“As we know, there aren’t enough people who look like us. There aren’t enough women, especially in technology,” said Lilyn Hester, head of Southeast External Affairs and Government Relations at Google.
According to Hester, the company chose NCCU to fund the nation’s first HBCU AI institute because it hopes to bring more diverse talent into the AI workforce.
“NCCU fits the bill. They were already involved in AI, but needed a little more support,” she said.
At Brightleaf Square, companies are using or considering AI. Daniel Waldron’s wife runs Murphy Waldron Interiors, an interior design firm. He showed Eyewitness News renderings of how AI is being used in the industry.
“Two years ago it was almost nowhere. Now you see it everywhere,” he said. “This is a sample of a rug where the customer wants it to be a brown rug. You can just put that into the computer and it will change to 30 different colors.”
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