The third annual Black-led Silicon Forest Tech Summit convened at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland in March, serving as a pivotal gathering to bridge cutting-edge technology and community engagement. The summit brought together attendees ranging from robotics specialists to educators and economic development agents, focusing primarily on demystifying artificial intelligence and exploring the rapid evolution of the digital landscape.

The event was described as an essential platform for professional and community growth, with a strong focus on preparing youth for the digital future. Lakayana Yotoma Drury, Executive Director of Word Is Bond, stressed the desire to incorporate Black engineers, designers, and youth into the field. Trent Aldridge, CEO of Self Enhancement, Inc., emphasized the practical goal of leveraging technological developments to more effectively serve the Portland community.

Beyond immediate innovation, a key discussion point was how technology can foster greater accessibility, including the potential for AI-assisted systems to aid marginalized groups. 

Learn more about Silicon Forest and future events at steamcircuit.com