Break Through Tech Fellows from across the tri-state area joined us at Accenture’s One Manhattan West office in New York on October 24th for our first Break Through Tech Connect event.
Published
12/9/2024
Break Through Tech Fellows from across the tri-state area joined us at Accenture’s One Manhattan West office in New York on October 24th for our first Break Through Tech Connect event. The energy was palpable as fellows, industry leaders, and supporters gathered to celebrate our shared mission: empowering the next generation of tech talent.
Hosting this first-ever Connect event with Accenture felt especially meaningful. Since 2016, Accenture has championed our mission, becoming one of the first companies to support our vision. What began as an idea to expand tech careers to new audiences has since grown into a transformative movement. Accenture has supported us every step of the way—volunteering, mentoring, and creating opportunities for early career technologists to grow.
This networking event featured a captivating keynote by Allie K. Miller – one of the most important leading voices in AI today. Allie illustrated the rapid evolution of AI, showcasing tools like AI-generated imagery, videos, and other advanced media models. She shared compelling examples of AI’s impact, from software coding to systems integration, and even demonstrated how AI can fuel personal energy, like using SUNO to create motivating music for her mornings.
Beyond technology, Allie highlighted three human-centered insights on leveraging these powerful tools:
- The Imperfect Nature of AI: No matter how much we learn about AI, there will always be gaps—things we didn’t account for or include in the process. It’s essential to assume that some aspects will be left out.
- AI as a Lens for Missing Insights: Use AI to uncover what’s missing, viewing the technology not just as a tool but as part of a broader cultural shift.
- Don’t stop at “I wonder if…”: Take that thought experiment and move into action–you won’t know unless you try.
Allie’s keynote was followed by a Q&A panel moderated by Break Through Tech CEO Judith Spitz, featuring Accenture executives Lee Barett, Managing Director, North America Data & AI Advisory Lead, and Teresa Tung, Senior Managing Director. Allie, Lee, and Teresa shared insights from their career trajectories, offered advice to early career technologists in the age of AI, and mingled with our fellows after the panel to answer any follow-up questions.
For our fellows, this event also served as a call to action—encouraging them to see themselves as the architects of the future. Break Through Tech is committed to ensuring our fellows have a seat at the table. Systemic change is a collective effort, and we encourage them to stay engaged, lift as they climb, and contribute to the ongoing transformation of our industry.
This first Break Through Tech Connect event not only celebrated the achievements of our fellows but underscored the strength of collaboration. With steadfast partners like Accenture and Allie K. Miller, we’re opening doors, creating connections, and transforming the tech landscape, one opportunity at a time. Together, we dare to envision a future where technologists of all lived experiences are appropriately represented in the rooms where technology decisions are made.