In the United States, Michele Jawando, a civil rights lawyer, is set to take over as the CEO of Omidyar Network, a philanthropic firm founded by billionaire Pierre Omidyar, next month. This transition was announced on a Wednesday, and Jawando will replace the outgoing CEO Mike Kubzansky. Known for her experience as a former Google executive focused on public policy partnerships, Jawando aims to foster greater diversity in the realm of artificial intelligence. She emphasized the need for a variety of perspectives to shape the development and implementation of AI technology to ensure it benefits all communities. Under her leadership, Omidyar Network plans to enhance engagement with underrepresented groups and influence policy-making at state levels. Jawando has voiced concerns about a limited number of technology companies controlling the AI landscape and the importance of establishing a public governance framework for AI development. This shift underscores the organization’s commitment to addressing gaps in philanthropy related to the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, particularly through a newly allocated $30 million generative AI portfolio. Jawando aims to strengthen connections across the philanthropic sector to elevate working people's perspectives in discussions about technology. Furthermore, she highlighted ongoing efforts to support voices from marginalized communities, including partnerships with organizations such as the #BlackTechFutures Research Institute, which works with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to promote AI literacy. Omidyar Network remains dedicated to advocating for responsible tech regulation, even in light of political changes regarding AI guidelines. With Jawando's skills as a 'bridge builder,' the firm intends to address concerns around responsible data center models that prioritize sustainability and community engagement. Jawando expressed optimism about the organization's capacity to innovate and creatively navigate the challenges presented by an evolving AI landscape, actively involving those who are often overlooked in these discussions.