From left to right: Derrick Lewis, chair and co-founder of The Bronx Community Foundation, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and Brian Amkraut, vice president of Workforce Credentialing and Community Impact at Mercy University
As part of its commitment to addressing the digital divide, Mercy University recently partnered with The Bronx Community Foundation to host “The Next Horizon: Empowering Education and the Community through AI Innovation,” a collaborative forum focused on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in education and community services. The event, held at Mercy’s Bronx Campus, brought together leaders in business, education and Bronx community-based organizations that provide education workforce training and public services. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson was also in attendance to offer her support. The event showcased how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform education and community services, providing a platform for experts to discuss opportunities and challenges in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
“We wanted to bring general awareness of and training about some of the opportunities and challenges in the digital education realm and really target an area of great need in the Bronx,” said Brian Amkraut, vice president of Workforce Credentialing and Community Impact at Mercy University. “This is our second annual digital inclusion symposium event in collaboration with The Bronx Community Foundation and supported by a grant we received from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.”
Osar Pat-Osagie, digital equity program director & community engagement manager, The Bronx Community Foundation, agreed there is an urgent need to bridge the digital divide in the Bronx through education and workforce training. “The Bronx itself is historically known historically known as having the largest digital divide,” he said. “The idea of this convening is to see how artificial intelligence can be utilized to really bridge those digital divides through community-based organizations and the education sector.”
The forum, which featured presentations, panel discussions, workshops and a fireside chat, offered valuable insights into AI’s transformative potential. Discussions emphasized how AI can personalize learning experiences, enhance workforce productivity, and improve operational efficiency for community-based organizations. Workshops and demonstrations showcased real-world applications of AI tools, such as large language models (LLMs) and AI-powered solutions, aimed at solving challenges in underserved communities.
Highlights included:
Presentation by Mercy University’s Center for STEM Education about its partnership with Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers.
Amanda M. Gunning, PhD, co-founder of the Mercy University Center for STEM Education.
Daniela Martinez, grant facilitator for Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program
Fireside Chat – The Next Horizon: AI’s Impact on the Workforce - An insightful conversation discussing the transformative effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the workforce.
Rah Thomas, managing director, Accenture
Panel Discussion– AI for Good: Exploring AI and Machine Learning's Impact on CBO Work - Industry experts explored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) in the non-profit and community-based organizations (CBO) sector.
Aniket Kesari, associate professor at Fordham Law School
Jason Long, technical director, Innovation Lab Human Rights First
Kathy D'Agostino, AI trainer & consultant, executive coach, training facilitator, Win at Business Coaching
César Ventura Tapia, program manager at Fund for the City of New York
Panel Discussion – The Teacher, the Student, and the Machine: How AI Can Influence Learning Experiences. Experts discussed the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) on the education industry.
Dr. Brandy McNeils, deputy director of Digital Literacy, Workforce Readiness, Adult Education, ESOL, & Cultural Programs, New York Public Library
Ronel Schodt, KaiBot CEO and co-founder and Gregory Cassiere, community engagement manager
Njoku Uchechukwu, principal of the Science School for Exploration & Discovery (MS 224)
Dr. Taiwo Togun, founder of SeqHub Analytics and InclusionBridge
The event demonstrated how collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and community organizations can unlock the transformative potential of AI, ensuring access to opportunity and innovation for all.
“I would love to see more involvement from the community, from our business partners and our own Mercy community in how we will form this journey together as we move forward towards collective intelligence and how are we going to leverage these tools to make our lives better,” said Camille Shelley, vice president and chief technology officer for Mercy University.
Click here to watch video highlights of the event.
From left to right, Dr. Amanda M. Gunning, co-founder of the Mercy University Center for STEM Education and Daniela Martinez, grant facilitator for Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program.
From left to right Osar Pat-Osagie, digital equity program director & community engagement manager, The Bronx Community Foundation and Rah Thomas, managing director, Accenture.
From left to right, Brian Amkraut, vice president of Workforce Credentialing and Community Impact at Mercy University; Kathy D'Agostino, AI trainer & consultant, executive coach, training facilitator at Win at Business Coaching; Jason Long, technical director, Innovation Lab Human Rights First; César Ventura Tapia, program manager at Fund for the City of New York; and Aniket Kesari, associate professor at Fordham Law School.
From left to right, Gregory Cassiere, community engagement manager, KaiBot; Njoku Uchechukwu, principal of the Science School for Exploration & Discovery; Osar Pat-Osagie, digital equity program director & community engagement manager, The Bronx Community Foundation ; Dr. Taiwo Togun, founder of SeqHub Analytics and InclusionBridge; and Dr. Brandy McNeils, deputy director of Digital Literacy, Workforce Readiness, Adult Education, ESOL, & Cultural Programs at New York Public Library.