In this conversation, Elena Sinel shares her journey from a unique upbringing in Uzbekistan, literally on the Silk Road, to founding Teens in AI, an organization dedicated to empowering teenagers to use AI for social good. She discusses the impact of her Soviet education, her transition to university, and the challenges she faced in her personal life. Elena emphasizes the importance of hackathons in education, the ethical implications of AI, and her vision for a future where education is more personalized and responsible. She also highlights the need for awareness around the ethical use of AI and the importance of teaching young people to build technology that positively impacts society.
Resources: Teens in AI
Recommended: Joy Buolamwini
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Website: jasonbuccheri.com
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Timestamps:
[00:00:00] AI as a Socio-Economic System
[00:00:43] Introduction
[00:03:06] Growing Up in Bukhara & The Soviet Education System
[00:07:49] A Love of Language & the Path to Entrepreneurship
[00:12:03] Volunteering, Global Partnerships & Impact
[00:16:39] Escaping Violence & Rebuilding in the UK
[00:23:45] Hackathons: Igniting Curiosity & Real-World Problem Solving
[00:28:28] Teens in AI: Inspiring a New Generation
[00:31:06] Ethics of AI: Consent, Privacy & Data Ownership
[00:36:32] Socio-economic Implications & Building AI Responsibly
[00:42:28] Future of Education: Personalized Learning & Risks
[00:46:54] ‘Coded Bias’ & Joy Buolamwini’s Work
[00:51:54] Closing Remarks & Credits