Before we put $100 billion into AI …

America is poised to invest billions of dollars to remain the leader in artificial intelligence as well as quantum computing. This investment is critically needed to reinvigorate the science that will shape our future. But in order to get the most from this investment, we have to create an environment that will produce innovations that are not just technical advancements but will also benefit society and uplift everybody in our society. This is why it is important to invest in fixing the systemic inequalities that have sidelined Black people from contributing to AI and from having a hand in the products that will undoubtedly impact everyone. Black scholars, engineers, and entrepreneurs currently have little-to-no voice in AI.