NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Build the Impact Economy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the Impact Economy. While AI has the potential to drive significant social and environmental benefits, it also poses risks such as job displacement and widening economic inequalities. Understanding how to harness AI responsibly is crucial for entrepreneurs, investors, and communities, especially those that are underserved.​

Join Impact Entrepreneur founder Laurie Lane-Zucker in a conversation with Sheldon Gilbert, Founder and CEO of Kura Labs, an academy dedicated to training and placing students from underserved communities in AI careers. They will explore AI’s dual role as both a disruptor and an enabler within the Impact Economy, discuss strategies for ethical and strategic AI integration, and emphasize the importance of education and re-skilling in fostering a just and inclusive AI-driven future.​

Key discussion points include:

• The transformative impact of AI on entrepreneurship and investing​
• Ethical considerations and the risk of widening economic inequality​
• Best practices for integrating AI into impact-driven business models​
• The role of vocational training and education in equitable AI adoption​
• Strategies for mitigating risks of displacement through re-skilling​

Featured Guest

Sheldon Gilbert is a serial tech entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Kura Labs, a non-profit tech training academy in AI Infrastructure Computing, Cybersecurity, and Edge Computing. With a background in molecular genetics and bioinformatics, he began his tech career in Silicon Valley, developing machine learning algorithms before founding Proclivity Systems, where he pioneered patented data processing technologies. Recognizing the shortage of cloud engineers and the opportunity to boost economic mobility for under-resourced communities, Sheldon launched Kura Labs in 2020. In four years, Kura has trained and placed nearly 100 engineers at leading companies—including NASDAQ, Morgan Stanley, AWS, and Bloomberg—generating over $18 million in new wages.

A Yale graduate, Sheldon’s work has gained support by major foundations and technology partners, reinforcing his mission to drive greater economic mobility through investments in tech workforce development. When he’s not scaling tech initiatives, he’s enjoying time with his daughters in Central Park.

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM EDT