The discourse often revolves around the negative aspects of AI, yet the positive implications, such as the ability to engage with authors or historical figures by inputting their writings into expansive language models, deserve attention. Although James Lowry may not be widely recognized, his narrative contributes to the Black experience in America. Raised in Chicago, a Peace Corps participant in the early 1960s, and the inaugural Black consultant at McKinsey in 1968, Lowry has dedicated his life to urging major corporations to invest in historically marginalized communities.
In his recently published book, “Change Agent,” which delves into his life, Kobie Fuller, a general partner at Upfront Ventures, employs a personalized generative AI approach known as Kobie AI. Fuller’s experimentation spans diverse subjects, ranging from bartending to the emotional aspects of marketing. His latest endeavor involves Jim Lowry AI for DEI. By inputting Lowry’s book into a substantial language model, users can pose questions about diversity, equity, and inclusion, yielding impressive results. Fuller emphasizes the privilege of conversing with Lowry at will, highlighting the technology’s capacity to extend this privilege to others in its own unique way.
Lowry, recognizing that not everyone will read his entire book, sees AI as a powerful means of allowing people to grasp key aspects of his life through interactive questioning. The AI initiates engagement with a prompt expressing Lowry’s lifelong commitment to DEI work and encouraging questions or the sharing of wisdom from his life’s journey.
The interactive nature of this AI enables individuals to pose sophisticated questions, providing detailed responses rooted in Lowry’s actual words and experiences. Whether students, historians, DEI professionals, or anyone interested, they can inquire about DEI issues or specific episodes in Lowry’s life, fostering a unique connection. This interaction offers a chance for people to engage with Lowry’s legacy as a Black man in American business, potentially serving as a valuable educational tool for future generations.
As Fuller explores this technology, it exemplifies just one application, underscoring the potency of generative AI in enhancing understanding of diverse experiences and potentially serving as a conduit for interacting with other influential historical figures.
In a related development, Tech Spark AI secures $1.4 million in funding to develop an alternative to ChatGPT.
