Shaping an Inclusive AI Future: A Q&A with AI4ALL’s Dr. Sean Peters

AI4ALL, a Partnership on AI partner, is a national nonprofit that empowers students to be AI Changemakers. Their mission is to foster collaboration and amplify diverse voices in AI governance and development. AI4ALL does this by supporting students from communities that have been historically excluded in STEM and the AI space. Focused specifically on serving Black, Hispanic and Latinx, Indigenous folks, and women and non-binary folks in the US, AI4ALL is establishing the next generation of AI Changemakers.

In our latest Q&A, we sat down with Dr. Sean Peters, the VP of Programs and Operations at AI4All, to discuss the next generation of Changemakers in AI, AI education, and ethics in AI development.

How can a diverse AI workforce help to ensure AI advances benefit people and society? How do you envision AI4ALL’s students and alumni making an impact on AI development and deployment?

A diverse AI workforce ensures that AI systems are built with a broad range of perspectives, reducing bias and improving fairness. When AI is developed by teams that reflect the diversity of society — which it currently does not — it is more likely to address real-world challenges equitably.

AI4ALL’s Changemakers are poised to lead in this space by bringing their unique backgrounds, ideas, and ethical considerations into AI development. Whether they’re working in research, policy, or entrepreneurship, they are shaping AI to be more inclusive and socially responsible.

Of note, for the 2023-2024 academic year, AI4ALL served 417 students, of which 62% identified as women or non-binary, 52% Identified as Black, Latinx, or Native American/Indigenous and 17% identified as both. As of 2024, AI4ALL’s alumni community consisted of over 1,800 AI internship- and early career-ready Changemakers.

What are the biggest barriers to entry for underrepresented groups in AI, and how can we collectively address them?

Lack of access to early AI education and systemic bias in hiring are a couple of the more obvious barriers that underrepresented groups face. To address this, we need early exposure to AI for students of various backgrounds and socioeconomic standing, stronger pathways from education to industry, and policies that promote inclusive hiring. In addition to those challenges, underrepresented groups must also navigate the “hidden curriculum” and grow the social capital necessary. By having our Changemakers work with industry mentors and participate in networking opportunities, AI4ALL can increase the likelihood of our students successfully competing in the AI workforce.

In general, collaboration between schools, companies, and nonprofits like AI4ALL is crucial to creating a more equitable AI ecosystem; no one entity can address the current significant disparity alone. We’re fortunate to work with numerous corporate partners and academic institutions to provide our Changemakers with robust opportunities to learn about and access opportunities in AI.

What skills do you think youth should prioritize to succeed in an AI-driven future? And how can schools, organizations, and governments work together to shape the next generation of AI talent?

Technical skills like coding and data literacy are essential, but equally important are critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. In addition, we believe ethics and responsible design are crucial elements of an AI-driven future that benefits humanity, which is why ethical training is a core component of our virtual accelerator program, AI4ALL Ignite.

To prepare the next generation for an AI-driven world, schools must integrate AI literacy across subjects. AI is poised to reshape every industry, making it crucial to equip students with adaptable, cross-disciplinary skills that go beyond traditional computer science.

Businesses also have a role to play by offering hands-on learning opportunities to both employees and emerging talent, such as interns. Meanwhile, governments must invest in equitable AI education initiatives—a necessity if the U.S. hopes to maintain its position as a global leader in technology. Policymakers will be instrumental in shaping a future where AI talent can thrive.

Ensuring equity for all in technology, especially in AI, is a multisector and multistakeholder issue. How do organizations like Partnership on AI help advance the important work that you do by bridging those connections?

Partnership on AI plays a critical role in convening diverse stakeholders—including academia, industry, and nonprofits—to set ethical AI standards and best practices. What I’ve found most valuable about PAI convenings is that they reveal to all stakeholders the unique challenges and victories each of us is experiencing in this work. That insight can be leveraged to refine our approaches as we work toward the same goal.

PAI’s work complements AI4ALL’s mission by fostering collaboration and amplifying diverse voices in AI governance and development. As mentioned, democratizing pathways to professional roles in AI requires the collaboration of many. Together, we are advancing opportunities for historically underrepresented talent in AI.

Just for fun, what was the last thing you used AI for?

I use generative AI tools daily for various aspects of work including data analysis, content creation and strategic planning. I’m also constantly looking for new AI tools to try. Recently, I tried out Synthesia™ AI Video Creator for making a couple how-to videos related to our students’ experience in the program. With a few simple prompts, I was able to create a branded, professional video about the application process.