The Reboot Representation Tech Coalition awarded Break Through Tech $500,000 towards the expansion of our AI program. Our program is the largest of its kind in the U.S., 67% of the women and nonbinary computing students enrolled are Black, Latina, and Native American, and the placement rate* is 80%.
Published
01/3/2024
The Reboot Representation Tech Coalition awarded Break Through Tech $500,000 towards the expansion of our AI program. Our program is the largest of its kind in the U.S., 67% of the women and nonbinary computing students enrolled are Black, Latina, and Native American, and the placement rate* is 80%.
As measured by job demand for AI engineers over the last several years, AI is the fastest-growing area of employment in the tech industry, growing at over 300%. Yet, the participation of women in this critical industry is even lower than in tech writ large. AI is already impacting every aspect of how we live and work, so closing the gender gap has never been more urgent “Our first line of defense against issues of AI-bias, fairness, and ethics is the diversity of people who are in the room and at the table where the design, development, deployment, and policy decisions are being made,” said Dr. Judith Spitz, Founder and Executive Director of Break Through Tech.
“Break Through Tech leads with an intentional and innovative approach in providing equitable access to tech education, reaching Black, Latina, and Native American women nationwide,” said Dwana Franklin-Davis, CEO of Reboot Representation. “In the future of AI, the brilliance of BLNA women technologists isn’t just valuable—it’s essential, bringing diverse perspectives that enrich innovation and help to ensure technology serves all. We are delighted to invest in Break Through Tech’s mission to advance non-binary and women pursuing computing degrees into AI careers.”
Developed in 2021, the program has three components that hiring managers consider critical for increasing the competitiveness and marketability of students pursuing AI/ML engineering roles.
Currently, our AI program is offered as a fully virtual program welcoming underrepresented students nationwide and as a hybrid program (a mix of virtual and in-person) to students in 3 regional markets in partnership with Cornell Tech in New York, UCLA’s Samueli School of Engineering in Los Angeles, and MIT’s Schwarzman College of Computing in Boston.
Founded in 2018, Reboot’s mission is to double the number of Black, Latina, and Native American women receiving computing degrees by 2025. The companies that are members of their coalition have collectively pledged over $26 million towards that mission. In addition to funding organizations like ours, Reboot publishes reports and tools for companies to integrate this value set into their processes.
Together with Reboot, we are reshaping the narrative, demonstrating the true potential of diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this inspiring journey toward a more equitable future in tech.
Click here to learn more about our students and to watch the program in action.
*paid tech internships or full-time jobs