Join us in celebrating Ricquel Harper, Founder of Alchemist of Ethical AI.
Let's hear from Ricquel:
Share your AI origin story
I have always been intrigued by innovation and emerging technologies since childhood. Efficiency has also been a driving force in my life—constantly seeking ways to maximize productivity without sacrificing quality, accuracy, or impact. My first real introduction to AI came through a workshop on course creation, where I explored generative tools for content development.
What struck me was the glaring lack of representation of Black women in these AI models, and in some cases, the outputs were outright offensive. This eye-opening experience ignited my passion for advocating for more inclusivity in AI and ensuring ethical standards are upheld.
I realized that AI is only as good as the data it’s trained on and the people who shape its development. From that moment on, I committed myself to not only leveraging AI for efficiency but also championing its responsible and diverse evolution—because technology should serve everyone, not just a select few.
What AI tools have been most game changing for you? Â
Claude.ai, Perplexity, Gemini
If you were just starting your AI journey today where would you start?
If I were starting my AI journey today, I’d take a structured, hands-on approach that balances foundational knowledge, practical application, and community engagement.
First, I’d build a strong foundation with Andrew Ng’s AI for Everyone on Coursera for a non-technical introduction. To deepen my understanding, I’d study Microsoft’s Fundamentals of AI Guide and take Ng’s Machine Learning course to grasp core AI and ML concepts.
Since generative AI is shaping the future, I’d explore it through Generative AI courses and experiment with OpenAI’s GPT, Claude, and Google’s Gemini. Staying engaged with the AI community is key, so I’d join forums while keeping up with AI influencers and research papers.
Most importantly, I’d embrace continuous learning, attending AI webinars, exploring new courses, and experimenting with real-world applications. AI is a marathon, not a sprint and the best way to learn is by doing, starting small, building projects, and refining skills over time.
Share the spotlight: Name 3+ women leading in AI we should all follow.
As a woman in AI, what do you want our allies to know?
As a woman in AI, I want our allies to understand several key points. Representation matters—women remain significantly underrepresented in AI, so increasing female participation in AI education and careers is essential. Support is crucial and allies can contribute through mentorship, resources, and program support.
Diverse perspectives improve AI, making systems more inclusive and responsible, so advocating for diverse teams is key. Allies should also foster supportive work environments that encourage long-term growth.
Ethical AI needs women's input to ensure inclusivity for all marginalized groups, making their involvement in AI ethics and governance discussions vital. Lastly, breaking down barriers is critical—awareness and active efforts to remove obstacles preventing women from accessing and utilizing AI technologies will drive meaningful change. By understanding and acting on these points, allies can help create a more inclusive and diverse AI industry that benefits from the full spectrum of talent and perspectives.
Special Series: Black History Month
How do you see your work contributing to the broader legacy of Black women in technology?
My work contributes to the broader legacy of Black women in technology by challenging the status quo, advocating for ethical AI, and ensuring that Black women are not only represented but actively shaping the future of tech. By leveraging my expertise in AI, marketing, and strategy, I work to create more inclusive and responsible AI systems that reflect the full spectrum of human experiences. I see myself as part of a growing movement of Black women who are breaking barriers, driving innovation, and redefining what leadership in technology looks like. Through mentorship, advocacy, and direct contributions to AI development, I aim to pave the way for future generations—ensuring that Black women have the tools, visibility, and opportunities to thrive in this space. My work is about more than just representation; it’s about influence, impact, and building a technological future that serves us all equitably.
How can the AI community better engage underrepresented communities in shaping ethical AI practices?
To better engage underrepresented communities in shaping ethical AI practices, the AI community must take intentional steps to ensure inclusivity and accountability. This starts with involving community members directly in AI development, forming interdisciplinary teams that include diverse perspectives. Establishing strong partnerships with marginalized communities helps identify specific needs and create socially beneficial solutions. Investing in collaborative structures fosters shared responsibility and ethical transparency. Engaging creative voices, including designers and artists from diverse backgrounds, introduces fresh perspectives to ethical AI design. Clear ethical frameworks should be established with direct input from underrepresented groups, ensuring alignment with their values and expectations. Conducting impact assessments before AI implementation helps mitigate potential harms, particularly for marginalized communities. Transparency is key—organizations should communicate openly about AI applications and ethical commitments, fostering trust and dialogue. Providing multiple channels for community input ensures diverse voices are heard. Importantly, community engagement should be an ongoing process, with continuous updates on how feedback has influenced AI initiatives. By implementing these strategies, the AI community can build more inclusive, equitable, and ethically sound AI systems that serve all members of society.
What are your hopes for the next generation of Black women entering AI?
I envision a future where Black women in AI are not only present but thriving, leading, and reshaping the field in profound ways. I hope the next generation will drive ethical AI practices, ensuring fairness and inclusivity in the technologies that shape our world. Black women's unique perspectives will fuel innovation, bringing groundbreaking ideas that challenge biases and create more representative, equitable AI systems.
Beyond individual success, I see Black women creating pathways for others, mentoring and uplifting future generations to build a more inclusive tech ecosystem. Our work will go beyond the industry—leveraging AI to address societal challenges like healthcare disparities and educational inequities, using technology as a tool for positive change. We will continue amplifying community voices, ensuring AI tools are built with real-world impact in mind, and advocating for data equity across industries. Through research and policy, we will shape regulations that promote fairness, accountability, and accessibility in AI.
My hope is that Black women entering AI today will not only break barriers but redefine the field entirely—ushering in an era where AI serves all communities equitably, and where our leadership, brilliance, and influence become the norm, not the exception.
How can we ensure that AI technologies benefit marginalized communities rather than perpetuate inequities?
To ensure AI technologies benefit marginalized communities rather than perpetuate inequities, several key strategies must be implemented. AI systems should be designed with input from marginalized communities, forming interdisciplinary teams that consider power structures, trust, and impact from the start. Diverse and representative data must be used to prevent algorithmic bias and ensure inclusivity. Partnering with communities to understand their needs leads to more effective solutions, while ethical AI review boards help address discrimination. Accessibility and usability should be prioritized so AI serves people of all backgrounds and abilities. Socioeconomic factors must be considered to prevent widening inequalities, and upskilling programs should focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion to create more opportunities. AI should also be used to address disparities, such as pay gaps and workplace accessibility. Continuous learning and adaptation are crucial, as is recognizing and compensating stakeholder participation.
Brené Brown’s podcast features two insightful episodes that dive into these issues: "Dr. Joy Buolamwini on Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines," which examines the biases embedded in AI and the need for more equitable technology, and "Dr. S. Craig Watkins on Why AI’s Potential to Combat or Scale Systemic Injustice Still Comes Down to Humans," which explores how AI can either reinforce or challenge systemic inequalities depending on how it is developed and deployed. These conversations highlight why diversity, accountability, and ethical considerations must be at the forefront of AI development, reinforcing the importance of these strategies in creating a more just and inclusive technological future.
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