TL;DR:
- Tech Spark AI raised $1.4 million in a pre-seed round to develop Spark Plug, a generative AI platform.
- Funding was led by TD Bank, with support from Salesforce, Canada’s government, and NBA Canada.
- Spark Plug aims to provide an inclusive alternative to existing AI platforms, targeting underserved communities.
- The platform’s initial focus is translating classic literature into African American Vernacular English (AAVE) for Gen Z users.
- Spark Plug’s language model was trained by Gen Z members, Harlem Renaissance authors, and Civil Rights Movement activists.
- The product is available as a web application and seeks to lead in inclusive generative AI.
Main AI News:
In a significant development, Tech Spark AI, an innovative artificial intelligence company, has just announced the successful closure of a $1.4 million pre-seed funding round. The primary objective behind this funding is to propel the development of their groundbreaking generative AI platform, aptly named “Spark Plug.” Leading the charge in this funding endeavor is TD Bank, with strong support from notable entities such as Salesforce, the Canadian government, and NBA Canada.
Founded in the vibrant city of Toronto by Tamar Huggins nearly eight years ago, Tech Spark AI initially set out on a mission to craft tailored educational curricula aimed at empowering Black and brown students throughout North America. However, this noble mission eventually paved the way for a grander vision – the creation of a more personalized and inclusive learning experience for students from all backgrounds.
Working alongside her talented 13-year-old daughter, Talia Grant, Huggins conceptualized and brought to life “Spark Plug,” an AI platform that aspires to stand as a Black-owned alternative to existing AI search platforms, with a particular focus on challenging the status quo set by ChatGPT. Collaborating with educational institutions across the United States and Canada, Spark Plug’s mission resonates strongly with underserved Black and brown communities.
The maiden iteration of this groundbreaking product offers users the ability to transform classic literature into modern language, with a special emphasis on catering to Gen Z as its target demographic. The unique twist? Spark Plug translates standard text into African American Vernacular English (AAVE), a dialect rooted in the Black American community and now widely embraced by Gen Z on the digital landscape.
In discussing the motivation behind Spark Plug, Huggins highlighted a crucial aspect often overlooked in technology development. She expressed, “Oftentimes, technology is designed without the lens of Blackness, and therefore, the impact on Black communities can be quite negative, especially when it comes to AI in general. It’s really about how we can identify the problems that exist within our own communities using technology to create meaningful, safe-tailored solutions that generate impact.”
Huggins further revealed that Spark Plug’s language model was meticulously trained by her daughter, a proud member of Gen Z, in collaboration with renowned authors from the Harlem Renaissance and stalwarts of the Civil Rights Movement. While the product’s core mission revolves around students, it is open for use by people of all backgrounds as a web application, mirroring the functionality of ChatGPT. The ultimate aim is for Spark Plug to be recognized as a trailblazer in the domain of inclusive generative AI.
Conclusion:
Tech Spark AI’s successful funding for Spark Plug represents a significant step toward a more inclusive AI landscape. By addressing the unique needs of underserved communities and fostering collaboration with younger generations and historical influencers, Spark Plug aims to challenge established AI platforms and set a new standard for inclusive generative AI solutions in the market.
