Did you know that the same people who developed Internet 2.0 around the turn of the century are now also developing AI?
They develop AI products and services that have the same biases built in and that exclude the same people from using their solutions.
Kim Carson argues that we need to change that if we want progress that is shared throughout society.
In episode 52 of Women Disrupting Tech, she explains how conceptual technologists can play a vital role in creating tech solutions that are agents of societal change.
To listen, hit the play button below or search for “Women Disrupting Tech” in your podcast app.
How Conceptual Technologists Uplift Humanity with Kim Carson | Episode 52 of Women Disrupting Tech – Women Disrupting Tech
The Magic You Can Expect in this Episode 🪄
We all know that it’s crucial to have multiple perspectives when developing a product, and AI is no exception. This way, we can avoid increasing the risk of bias and ethical blind spots in AI systems.
Enter Kim Carson. As the founder of Parallax Futures, she believes that a new breed of innovators, conceptual technologists, will ensure that AI innovations will uplift humanity.
Kim is my guest in episode 52 of Women Disrupting Tech to explain how:
- Conceptual Technologists leverage biases to create an AI system that represents everyone 🤖
- Her experience with IBM Watson Education taught her that AI is not another productivity tool but one that can enhance how we live and learn🧠
- The fellowship that Parallax Futures offers can help conceptual technologists build more inclusive technologies🤝
And you’ll discover who the male ally is that supports Parallax Futures (hint: it is not Mark or Elon).
To listen, find the link to the episode on Spotify below or search for “Women Disrupting Tech” in your favorite podcast app.🎧✨
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About Kim Carson and Parallax Futures
Kim Carson is an AI futurist and conceptual technologist. She was recently named the Success Magazine’s Women of Influence. She’s a Black Tech Achievement Awards Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, and she was awarded the Diversity Professional Women of Excellence Award.
As the Founder and CEO of Parallax Futures, she leads a non-profit fellowship program that inspires positive futures by cultivating a new kind of innovator: the conceptual technologist.
Prior to Parallax Futures, she held a wide variety of leadership positions in both academia (UCSF) and the technology sector (IBM).
You can follow Kim on her journey by connecting with her on LinkedIn.
Parallax Futures’ mission is to inspire positive futures by infusing the world with a new kind of innovator called ‘Conceptual Technologists’. Conceptual technologists are the newest wave of innovators after design thinking, bringing a unique ideation practice to AI and beyond. You can learn more about Parallax Futures and their fellowship program on their website. And, of course, they’re on LinkedIn.
“AI could enhance the things that we do that are inherently human.”
Kim Carson
What makes this episode magical🌟?
Creating this episode started with an email from Kim’s PR agent. And I’m glad Jonathan emailed me. Because otherwise, I would not have known about this new, groundbreaking breed of technologists.
When I started learning more about it, my curiosity won over my doubts. And as you’ll learn when you listen to the episode, it is for good reasons. Conceptual Technologists solve the problem of inclusion that is currently missing in AI development.
What I found particularly inspiring is that instead of leaving tech to a bunch of “nerds,” conceptual technologists are about inviting everybody to the table. As a result, we will gain important insights about AI’s impact on society that we would not have learned otherwise. And that would mean that we can seize opportunities for societal improvement.
Another thing that persuaded me to dive into this concept was that Parallax Futures has a very prominent backer. One who built an app that we all use regularly: LinkedIn.
On the podcast, Kim shares how that came about, and she shares a little-known fact about this LinkedIn founder.
What’s coming up?
In episode 53, Veerle Witte will be my guest as we discover how she is building a new breed of journalling apps as a solo founder.
After that, we return to the theme of inclusive finance with Kimberly Ofori in episode 54.
So stay tuned for more amazing women disrupting tech and their male allies in season three of Women Disrupting Tech! And if you want to be the first to know what is coming… use the button below.
What do you think?
When you’ve finished listening to this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, let me know what you think by leaving a comment below.
I’m particularly curious to hear if you agree that conceptual technologists can play an important role in ensuring that AI benefits everyone.
And if you would like to suggest a guest that I absolutely must have on the podcast, send me an email or send me a DM on LinkedIn.
Women Disrupting Tech | The Podcast 
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