This summer, I had the privilege of speaking to 1,000+ brilliant first-generation college students from around the world through the Aspire Institute. It was an incredible opportunity to discuss the booming AI market and the importance of diversifying AI research geographically and demographically to unlock its true potential.
Beyond the technical aspects of AI, I wanted to share my personal story with these students. As someone who was born in a remote rural village in Liberia, West Africa and still managed to graduate from some of the world’s top universities, launch my own tech businesses on multiple continents, and work with leading tech companies, I hoped to inspire them with the message that if I could do it, so can they.
I commend Goulam Amarsy, Tarun Khanna, and Karim Lakhani for creating this remarkable initiative and the brilliant team that is running it. The Aspire Institute’s mission to prepare low-income, first-generation college students worldwide to be leaders in their communities and reach their full potential is truly admirable.
We had a fantastic time together, and I left feeling incredibly optimistic about how these bright minds will help shape our AI future. If I can do it, so can they.
You can view my full presentation below.
