Transforming AI: Rethinking Who Builds It, Who Benefits, and Who Leads
At Innovators for Purpose (iFp), we believe AI should be a force for equity, empowerment, and impact—not a tool that reinforces bias and deepens systemic inequalities. Yet, today’s AI systems are shaped by a select few, favoring those who build them while leaving historically excluded communities without a say in shaping its future.
Transforming AI challenges this imbalance by rethinking who builds and who benefits from AI, empowering the next generation of AI leaders—especially from underrecognized groups—and co-creating AI solutions for us, by us to drive meaningful change.
Through education, advocacy, and hands-on innovation, we equip emerging AI technologists, designers, policy advocates, and creative minds to take ownership of AI’s future—ensuring it serves society first.
"Our growing agitation over bias, lack of diversity, and unequal access in AI compels us to demand change; this technology is too crucial to our future for it to remain flawed."
- iFp Emerging Innovators
Rethinking AI.
Who Builds AI & Who Benefits?
AI isn’t neutral—it reflects the biases, priorities, and lived experiences of those who create it. For too long, AI has been built by a narrow group, while historically excluded communities have had little say in shaping its future. This imbalance reinforces inequities, limits opportunities, and threatens to deepen social divides.
We are Rethinking AI to Ensure It Is:
More Equitable – AI must serve society first, not just a select few. We advocate for AI that reflects diverse lived experiences, prevents bias, and actively works against systemic inequalities.
More Ethical – AI must be transparent, accountable, and aligned with human values. Through education and critical inquiry, we equip young innovators to identify biases, assess AI’s impact, and advocate for responsible development.
More Impactful – AI must serve real-world needs and drive meaningful change. Through community-driven projects, industry collaboration, and policy engagement, we ensure AI is designed for and with the people.
By challenging who builds AI, who benefits, and who is left out, we are building a purpose-driven AI ecosystem designed to serve society first.
Empowering New Leadership.
Who Shapes AI’s Future?
For too long, leadership in AI has been concentrated in the hands of a select few, limiting the perspectives that shape its future. Empowering leadership means more than just inclusion—it requires shifting power, creating new opportunities, and ensuring the next generation has the tools to lead AI’s transformation.
At Innovators for Purpose (iFp), we are:
Equipping young innovators to shape AI—not just as consumers, but as creators, policymakers, and decision-makers.
Partnering with industry leaders, researchers, and educators to ensure AI talent pipelines are diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Providing hands-on learning experiences that prepare students to challenge AI’s flaws, advocate for better policies, and build AI systems that serve society first.
Empowering New Leadership means AI should no longer be dictated by a narrow group—it must be shaped by those who have been historically excluded, ensuring that AI truly reflects and benefits everyone.
AI Summer showcase 2023
Our summer showcase revealed the beginning stages of Transforming AI. The Cambridge Foundry was buzzing as our Innovators unveiled early research, showcasing their findings through an array of methods including videos, case studies, demos, and a card game. And since we love pushing our limits, a web app is under development to expand the reach of the research. The showcase included a fireside chat with Dr. Nettrice Gaskins, a digital artist, academic, cultural critic, and advocate of STEAM fields, where she shared her inspiring work, which has been featured in the Smithsonian and other museums across the country.
The insights from our AI Summer Showcase 2023 are now fueling the next phase of our Transforming AI initiative, including expanded research projects, industry collaborations, and AI web apps that will amplify our impact.
"Anybody with access can use a tool, but to get better output artists are needed. Always."
— Dr. Nettrice Gaskins
Addressing the Bias
Adding to the excitement, Dr. Joy Buolamwini, a computer scientist and poet of code, made a surprise appearance. Her Ted Talk on algorithmic bias has garnered over 1.4 million views, and her MIT thesis methodology uncovered large racial and gender bias in AI services from companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Amazon. As a result, in 2020 these companies stepped back from selling facial recognition technology to law enforcement. We have been studying Dr. Joy's trailblazing work for more than four years and are proud to honor her as one of the “Geniuses" in our upcoming Genius installation.
Driving Impact.
From Ideas into Action
AI won’t change on its own—real transformation happens through collective action.
At iFp, we don’t just talk about AI’s problems—we equip young innovators with the skills, tools, and mindset to co-create AI solutions for us, by us to drive meaningful change.
Experiential Learning – Through hands-on projects tackling Critical Societal Challenges, iFp students develop technical expertise, creative problem-solving skills, and an ethical framework to ensure AI serves everyone. (Explore our projects page to learn more.)
Creative Advocacy - Our Emerging Innovators use storytelling, research, and digital media to raise awareness, challenge AI bias, and advocate for ethical AI development. By amplifying the voices of those most impacted, they ensure equity and accountability remain central to AI’s future.
Through these efforts, we are rethinking who builds and benefits from AI and co-creating AI solutions for us, by us to drive meaningful change.
By equipping young leaders to challenge AI’s biases, reimagine its purpose, and take ownership of its future, we ensure AI is a tool for empowerment, not exclusion.
Be Part of the AI Transformation
AI is being shaped right now—who builds it, who benefits, and who gets left behind is a choice.
At iFp, we are rethinking AI, empowering the next generation, and driving impact to create a more just and inclusive AI future.
Join us in shaping the future of AI—where power is shared, communities drive innovation, and technology serves everyone.
The future of AI is being redefined. Will you be part of it?
“Generative AI is giving us a chance to stop working in siloes. Many people in this room go back to their companies and think about corporate responsibility, and I want to expand that to creating shared value in companies by seeking out the community and the people here. I think that’s important, and I’m excited to see what comes next.” - iFp Emerging Innovator Jennat
