Toronto-based BPTN (Black Professionals In Tech Network) will host its third annual Global Tech Summit BFUTR (Be Future) 2021, the world’s largest virtual tech summit for Black professionals and allies on October 28th-29th. This year’s Summit features over 60+ Black professionals and allies participating in keynote addresses, workshops, and panel discussions, while boasting an exciting lineup of movers and shakers from major corporations across North America.
This year’s lineup is stronger than ever, and features industry titans from across sectors and industries; from D.L. Hughley (actor, broadcaster, comedian), Michelle C. Meyer-Shipp (MLB – Major League Baseball executive), and Janeen Uzzell (CEO, National Society of Black Engineers), all the way to Canadian tech stars including Lola Oyelayo-Pearson (Shopify) and Gladstone Grant (Microsoft).
At this year’s Summit, attendees will get exclusive access to the impressive list of local and international speakers from leading global organizations who are shaping the future of technology, and leading the way in diversity and inclusive leadership. You don’t want to miss it!
Tickets Available: HERE
Federal Minister of Innovation Joins BPTN and Industry CIOs to Address Anti-Black Racism in AI
Posted in Commentary with tags BPTN on January 31, 2024 by itnerdBlack Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN) is proud to announce the upcoming CIO Responsible Development Roundtable on Thursday, February 16, 2024. This pivotal event, featuring Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, will convene 20 esteemed CIOs and CTOs from top US and Canadian companies to discuss AI and address anti-Black racism with its continued development and use.
In October 2023, BPTN brought together over 20 CIOs and senior tech executives to discuss how to build AI responsibly and collectively—the consensus: reducing racism in AI starts with having diverse talent at the center of AI implementation. Paving the way for an inclusive future in AI, BPTN aims to train and hire 10,000 new Black software developers through Obsidi Academy over the next decade, calling for industry leaders to join the charge.
Obsidi Academy is a transformative tech bootcamp designed to address the underrepresentation of Black professionals in the tech industry, particularly in AI development. Created in 2021 by BPTN, this one-of-a-kind acquisition solution provides best-in-class talent with custom industry-leading training to achieve a company’s business-critical goals on day one.
A number of CIOs from organizations, including TELUS and CIBC, have already answered the call. This momentum prompted BPTN to open 100 additional Obsidi Academy training slots this year to empower companies with highly skilled Black tech talent to support ethical AI implementation.
The next CIO Responsible Development Roundtable event takes place on February 16, 2024, at BPTN’s head office in Toronto, Canada, and will gather senior executive leaders and the Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
In partnership with the Federal Minister and leading CIOs, BPTN is determined to champion proactive strategies against anti-Black racism in AI. The first step is assisting companies in growing their Black full-stack developer talent pool, and step two will be defined at the February 2024 CIO roundtable.
To receive an invitation and secure a spot at the February 16, 2024, CIO Responsible Development Roundtable, please contact Middlé Lemoine, Marketing Operations Lead at BPTN, at marketing@bptn.com.
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