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Stacey Abrams wears many hats. The first Black woman nominated for governor in U.S. history, she is a national leader, voting rights advocate, romance and thriller novelist, and serial entrepreneur with her own media and podcast ventures. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 in Houston, Abrams joined Dr. Rachel Gillum, vice president of ethical and humane use of technology at Salesforce, for a session titled “Democracy in the World of AI,” highlighting AI’s rapid spread, its impact on every sector from health care to the economy, and its connection to democracy. Abrams explained that her commitment to democracy is driven by her experience with poverty, which she called immoral, economically inefficient, and solvable — a reality she is determined never to return to. “Democracy is how we have always advanced the cause of more voices being involved in the answer,” Abrams shared from the stage. “I create companies because I was poor, and I don’t like it, and don’t ever want to do it again. My...
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have joined others in signing a statement calling for “a prohibition on the development of superintelligence” AI systems for the time being. Future of Life Institute (FLI), an AI safety group based in the United States that called for a pause on advanced AI development in 2023, organized the statement, according to The Guardian. It is aimed at tech companies , governments, and lawmakers, and includes signatures from AI pioneers and Nobel laureates. While artificial intelligence (AI) refers to systems that can match human intelligence in most cognitive tasks, artificial superintelligence (ASI) describes hypothetical systems that would exceed human intelligence. “The future of AI should serve humanity, not replace it. The true test of progress will be not how fast we move, but how wisely we steer,” Harry wrote in a comment alongside his signature. The statement urges that the ban on ASI development remain in place until...
Apple officially launched iOS 26 on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, bringing new features to iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro — all powered by Apple Intelligence and designed with privacy and data protection at every step, according to a news release. Developers can take advantage of iOS 26’s new features at no cost. The operating system also introduces Liquid Glass, Apple’s latest software material that unifies user interfaces with a sleek, glass-like aesthetic. “At Apple , we’ve always believed in the deep integration of hardware and software that makes interacting with technology intuitive, beautiful, and delightful,” Alan Dye, vice president of Human Interface Design, said in a statement. “This is our broadest software design update ever,” he added. “…[Liquid Glass] combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity only Apple can achieve, as it transforms depending on your content or context. It lays the foundation for new experiences in the future and,...
TikTok appears set to remain operational in the United States following a trade meeting between Trump administration officials and Chinese representatives. On Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, President Donald Trump hinted at a deal in a Truth Social post , saying that trade talks had gone “VERY WELL.” “A deal was also reached on a “certain” company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save,” Trump wrote. “They will be very happy! I will be speaking to President Xi [Jinping] on Friday. The relationship remains a very strong one!!!” What’s Happening With TikTok In The US? AFROTECH™ has closely followed the ongoing TikTok saga, which began on April 24, 2024, when former President Joe Biden signed a bill requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. assets to an American company within a year or face a nationwide ban. The legislation cited national security concerns , particularly the potential for China to access the private data of an estimated 170...
Facebook users are finally seeing payments from a $725 million privacy case. The Facebook user privacy settlement payout comes after years of lawsuits alleging the company allowed third parties to access user data without permission, USA Today reports. It is reportedly the largest class-action settlement in U.S. history based on number of class members, according to Money. Over 19 million claims have been validated. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has already started sending out payments tied to the settlement. Notifications began in September 2025, and payments will continue over the coming weeks. The case covers Facebook’s data-sharing practices over 15 years, including the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal that broke in 2018, where the consulting firm accessed data from as many as 87 million users without consent, AFROTECH™ previously reported. While Meta has denied wrongdoing, the company agreed to settle to avoid trial. This is not the first privacy-related action against...
Recent reports suggested that Google issued a broad warning to all 2.5 billion Gmail users following a hack of Salesforce by the group ShinyHunters (also tracked as UNC6040). Those reports, however, were inaccurate. Google clarified in a statement that no widespread Gmail security breach has occurred, and its protections remain highly effective, blocking more than 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts. While attackers continue to look for ways to infiltrate inboxes, including exploiting publicly available or leaked business information, Gmail’s security measures remain strong, the company states. “Security is such an important item for all companies, all customers, all users — we take this work incredibly seriously,” Google said in a statement. “Our teams invest heavily, innovate constantly, and communicate clearly about the risks and protections we have in place. It’s crucial that conversation in this space is accurate and factual,” the statement continued. The Salesforce breach,...
Google has issued an urgent warning to all Gmail users after a major third-party breach exposed billions of individuals to potential cyberattacks , Geek Spin reports. While Google says its own systems remain secure, the incident shows how stolen data from other platforms can be exploited to target Gmail accounts. The alert follows a breach of Salesforce’s cloud platform, which has left users of Google services more vulnerable to attacks. According to a Google Cloud blog post, Google’s Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) first spotted these attacks in June. Hackers used social engineering tactics, such as posing as IT support staff, to trick users into sharing their login credentials. By August, the attackers had already carried out multiple “successful intrusions” using accessed passwords, Geek Spin reports. While the stolen information was initially considered “basic and largely publicly available business data,” Google warned that it is now being used for more damaging purposes. The...
As the world becomes more interconnected, the demand for advanced cybersecurity continues to rise, driven by increasing threats and rapid technological change. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024, Prem Iyer, SVP of strategic pursuits at Palo Alto Networks, shared insights on the direction of venture capital, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) trends in the cybersecurity space. From the stage, he offered valuable perspectives for professionals at all levels, from interns and investors to executives and chief information security officers (CISOs). Attendees were provided with a breakdown of key attack vectors driving CISO focus and how vendor consolidation can improve security while cutting costs, as Iyer emphasized the two most critical markets in technology today: cybersecurity and AI. “If you think about AI, we just started talking about it materially in the last two years, and right now if you ask Bain, they’ll tell you it’ll be a $780 billion to $990 billion market by...
A new app that went viral for helping women date more safely has hit a major snag. Tea, the women-only platform designed to crowdsource safety information about men, surged to popularity in July, hitting over 4 million users and topping Apple’s App Store, according to Complex. Marketed as a “space to safely talk about men,” the app lets women upload photos of guys, run reverse image searches, and perform background checks to identify someone as a “red flag” or “green flag” for dating. But just as the app was hitting its stride (going viral on TikTok, especially among Gen Z), Forbes reports, a massive data breach compromised the information of thousands of users. What Is The Tea App? Tea isn’t a traditional dating app. Instead, it acts as a safety tool. Per Forbes, users can upload photos of men they’re talking to, search by name or phone number, and ask the community if anyone has “tea,” or gossip, about the men. It offers features such as: Catfish Finder AI to identify fake or...
A new version of TikTok is expected to launch in the United States on Sept. 5, 2025, according to The Verge. TikTok’s staff is reportedly working on the separate app, internally dubbed “M2,” which succeeds the current version known as “M.” The original TikTok app will be removed from app stores once M2 launches, and it is expected to stop functioning entirely by March 2026. Reports of the new TikTok app comes days after President Donald Trump said the U.S. “pretty much has a deal” for an American company to acquire TikTok, The New York Times reported. “We’re going to start Monday or Tuesday talking to China,” Trump told reporters traveling on Air Force One on Friday, July 4. “We think we probably have to get it approved by China. Not definitely, but probably.” He added, “I think the deal is good for China, and it’s good for us. It’s money, it’s a lot of money.” Though no company has been named, Trump mentioned, per The Verve, that it would be a group of “Non-Chinese” investors with...
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a wave of transformation, reshaping how organizations adapt and compete — making it essential to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability to navigate disruption and ensure long-term success. At AFROTECH™ 2024, Temi Soleye, the senior director of learning & performance at Merlin Labs, and Ashley Gatewood, the change & transformation leader at Google, came together to discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents for businesses, how to lead effective transformations and what it takes to build a future-ready workforce. When it comes to AI and transformation, Soleye noted that AI has productivity tools, such as support for coding and coders — but its challenges and opportunities go hand in hand. “High performance culture depends on the people, but it also depends on the processes and the systems,” Soleye said. Adding that, to streamline workflow, people should consider what the person currently does and how artificial intelligence...
Artificial intelligence (AI) now touches nearly every aspect of life — from health care and national security to smartphones and entertainment. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , Tanneasha Gordon , U.S. data and digital trust principal at Deloitte & Touche, joined Jarell Oshodi, privacy executive and counsel, to explore balancing AI innovation with protecting sensitive information and maintaining trust in a data-driven world. Diving deep into ethical frameworks, Gordon described AI as a “broad field of computer science, really focused on designing and deploying systems that mimic human intelligence,” viewing it through three paradigms: Our five senses, creativity, and consciousness. Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now! View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) When asked about AI’s benefits, Gordon pointed to increased productivity, efficiency, and cost savings across individuals and enterprises. However, she highlighted five key risks: Deepfakes and...
Cybersecurity remains one of the most important — and unpredictable — topics shaping today’s technology landscape. At AFROTECH™ 2024, Nicole Dove, director of security engineering at Riot Games, led a session on how bad actors use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance cyberattacks and how defenders are evolving to stay ahead. Moderated by Dr. Christine Izuakor, founder and CEO of Cyber Pop-up, the session also included Oluwadamilola Obamehinti, who has over a decade of experience at major tech companies including eBay. During the session, Dove and Obamehinti were presented with high-stakes real-world scenarios to respond to live. “We’ve all heard a lot of the nightmare stories over the last year, especially when it comes to security,” Izuakor said. “Everything from unprecedented amounts of data being leaked to social media hacks to a global IT outage — and it’s important as leaders for us to be able to respond in ways that are efficient, to remain calm, to think critically while...
As data remains the backbone of digital advertising and regulatory scrutiny continues to grow, technologists are uniquely positioned to influence the industry’s future. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , Juliette Stancil, senior assistant general counsel of data privacy at Intuit Inc. — the parent company of TurboTax, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and Credit Karma — led a workshop tackling the intersection of digital advertising and data privacy. Stancil unpacked current challenges, evolving platform rules, and privacy-first innovations — equipping attendees with the insights needed to navigate and influence a rapidly shifting landscape. “I would encourage anyone to really read through privacy settings and the privacy policy of any of the places you tend to visit or where you ingest content,” Stancil shared early in the session. “And you might be surprised at the number of capabilities you have to set permissions around what gets collected and what gets used, particularly for marketing and advertising...
UnitedHealth Group, a longtime healthcare powerhouse, just took a brutal hit, missing earnings expectations and slashing its 2025 outlook. The company’s stock dropped rapidly Thursday morning, April 17, and it wasn’t just a blip — this was a full-on market reaction to what many are now calling a crisis moment. At the center of it all? A shaky Medicare business, a leadership shakeup, and the long shadow of a massive cyberattack. For years, UnitedHealth was considered untouchable on Wall Street. But now, the once-steady giant is showing signs of severe strain. Medicare Misfire Rattles Confidence In The Insurance Giant Investors didn’t just flinch — they ran. According to The Wall Street Journal, UnitedHealth stock tumbled about 18% in early trading, pulling other major healthcare players like Humana and CVS Health down. What happened? The company’s Medicare Advantage division, which manages benefits for older and disabled Americans, faces deeper issues than previously disclosed....
