The 53rd NYS Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators convened Feb. 16 to 18 at the Empire State Plaza. in Albany. Chief Diversity Officer Ainsley Thomas and Alton Campbell, interim executive director of the Capital District EOC, attended this event.
The conference brought together policy makers, thought leaders, advocates and change-makers committed to addressing the most pressing issues facing our state, nation, and cultural heritage. This annual convening is intended to engage participants in meaningful discussions to share insights and foster collaboration.
This year’s Conference theme, “AI Renaissance – Navigating the Future,” created and opportunity to discuss the promise of the innovation of artificial intelligence, as well as examine its foreseeable harms: deepfakes, disinformation and election interference, as well as unpack how AI systems can discriminate against marginalized communities in hiring, housing, health care, etc.
The intention of the conference was to leverage the promise of AI, mitigating its risks, elevating Black and Brown voices in this critical discourse and enabling emerging technologies to flourish responsibly.
— Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Yusef Salaam, NYC councilman, with Ainsley Thomas