Produced by the artist-led nonprofit HiiiWAV, the second annual event doubled its programming from last year, when it drew more than 4,200 participants. The opening session at the Kapor Center featured Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa D. Cook, setting a tone that prioritizes community participation over top-down technological deployment. Mayor Barbara Lee emphasized that the week is intended to bridge the gap between a thriving innovation economy and the creation of local, high-paying jobs.
Oakland Tech Week Returns With Focus on Equitable AI
With over 80 events planned across the city, Oakland Tech Week has officially launched, aiming to position the region as a national hub for responsible and equity-centered innovation. The festival, running through October 3, brings together community leaders, investors, and technologists to ensure local voices shape the future of artificial intelligence.
The schedule features a diverse array of forums, including a discussion on ethical computer science at Northeastern University Oakland and the "Beyond Big Tech" panel featuring Dr. Timnit Gebru. Other notable sessions include investor-founder meetups at Raimondi Field and policy discussions with Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. The week will conclude with a community festival at the Henry J. Kaiser Center, headlined by Bay Area artist E-40. By centering creatives and impact organizations, organizers hope to prove that technology can be built with communities rather than imposed upon them.
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