Can AI Heal Us?

Can AI understand us without flattening our culture? Can technology expand access to culturally responsive mental health support without replacing human connection? Who owns the stories, wisdom and data we share? Can it be trained? And can technology help us not only struggle less—but experience more joy?

Can AI Heal Us? brings Black technologists, mental health professionals, cultural leaders and community members together not simply to talk about the future of AI, but to help imagine the future of Black wellness in an AI-powered world—before someone else imagines it for us.

October 1st | OakStop | Part of Oakland Tech Week

Bias, Culture, Data & Trust

AI is learning how to respond to us—but who taught it what it means to be Black? We’ll explore bias, privacy, cultural understanding and ownership, asking whether AI can recognize the fullness of Black experiences and wisdom without reproducing the inequities, mistrust and extraction already present in our healthcare and technology systems.

Panelists:

Chris Chatmon, Kingmakers of Oakland
Damali Robertson, Freedom Narrative Films
Kahri Johnson, Cal Matters
Monifa Porter, Parable Labs
Dr. Tony Jackson, PranaMinds