022626 DR. NASHLIE SEPHUS-(BeanPath,BeanBarn, JXNTechDistrict)-commUNITY CONNECTIONS CONVERSATIONS скачать в хорошем качестве

022626 DR. NASHLIE SEPHUS-(BeanPath,BeanBarn, JXNTechDistrict)-commUNITY CONNECTIONS CONVERSATIONS

This video features a conversation with Dr. Nashlie Sephus, a Principal AI Scientist at Amazon (2:43), who is also the founder of The Bean Path, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Jackson, Mississippi (2:37). The discussion revolves around the mission and initiatives of The Bean Path, its unique approach to community development, and upcoming events. Here are the key takeaways from the conversation: • Dr. Nashlie Sephus's Role at Amazon (2:43): Dr. Sephus works as a Principal AI Scientist on the responsible AI team at Amazon. Her role involves mitigating biases and ensuring fairness and inclusivity in AI products and services. She explains that AI systems are based on data, and therefore, inherently have the potential for bias (4:12). • The Bean Path Mission (2:37): The Bean Path aims to provide tools and knowledge to help people succeed in the digital age, particularly in Jackson, Mississippi. They focus on supporting vulnerable populations in the tech ecosystem, including senior adults and small business owners (28:07). • Origin and Growth of The Bean Path (18:48-23:40): Dr. Sephus shares her journey from being CTO of Partpic (19:04), an AI startup acquired by Amazon (21:26), to establishing The Bean Path. It started with setting up tech help desks in local libraries (22:20) and expanded significantly, leading to the acquisition of the Bean Barn and the development of the Jackson Tech District, a 22-acre site with multiple buildings (23:11-23:40). • Consistency and Cultural Relevance (32:11): Dr. Sephus stresses the importance of consistency in their work and the need for a culturally responsive approach to education and community development (1:04:31). • Community Support and Future Plans (37:12-37:53): Dr. Sephus discusses the increasing support from banks and investors, especially after navigating challenges like the water crisis in Jackson. The Bean Path aims to make the Jackson Tech District a "destination spot" (41:39) with future plans for office space, restaurants, a hotel, and housing (41:30-41:37). • Black History Expo: Tech and Evolution (38:07): Bean Path is hosting a Black History Expo to celebrate Black History Month and honor Black innovators in STEM, computing, and the arts. The event will take place on February 28th at the Bean Barn, featuring vendors, performances, a cooking show, and historical exhibits (1:02:36). • The Jackson Tech District (40:57): Dr. Sephus discusses the Jackson Tech District, a 22-acre footprint that includes the Maker Space (a 6,000 sq ft building for classes) and the Bean Barn (a 17,000 sq ft venue for events). Future plans for the district include office space, a restaurant, a hotel, housing, and further innovation (41:11). • Programs and Initiatives (43:19): Bean Path offers various classes and workshops, including technical classes like Python programming (43:51) and AI chatbot labs (43:59), as well as fiber and textile arts, design, and marketing. Uniquely, they also teach traditional arts like sewing, ceramics, and crochet, demonstrating how these can be fused with modern technology, including AI tools for design (44:29-45:02).They also provide apprenticeships and internships (44:16). • Community Engagement and Partnerships (53:11): Bean Path emphasizes the importance of collaboration and has over 40 active partnerships with local and regional organizations. They believe in working together to create strong, sustainable ecosystems (51:50). • Workforce Development and Impact (59:02-1:01:43): The organization focuses on developing a tech workforce through programs in AI cybersecurity, Python, drone certification, robotics, advanced engineering, and project management (59:13-59:26). They also highlight programs like Older Adults Technical Services (OATS) (51:22) and the Young STEAM Camp (51:48).