TheAssociation Announcements: January 2024

Hello Members, Partners, Sponsors, and Potential Members!

As we all embark on a new year, it will be a pivotal year for TheAssociation.

Our mission remains steadfast: to forge a safe, neutral platform for the AI implementers – the #AIDeputies who have their hands on the literal keyboards are at the forefront of this change.

A Dire Need for TheAssociation

The disconnect between data, technology, and policy is evident. The recent debacles in Social Media Hill hearings have laid bare a glaring truth: regulators grapple with understanding technology’s nuances and have even less awareness of data.

This gap was further highlighted by the US Executive Order focusing on NIST’s steps, primarily in cybersecurity, while overlooking the broader AI spectrum of bias, ethics, or quality.

This scenario underscores the urgent need for a civic, neutral entity like TheAssociation to bridge the silos of data, privacy, and security, focusing on end-to-end design, development, governance, and lifecycle operations implementation standards.

Take, for example, the concept of bias in AI – often a data quality issue, whether intentional or not. It’s about the data itself. GDPR, CCPA, HIPPA, SOX, the EU AI regulation, and the US Executive Order on AI, along with various state regulations, create a complex web of rules that fail to address the core issue – the data and its management. With enterprises operating across state and national borders, the challenge becomes even more intricate.

2024: A Year of Expansive Growth and Community Building

This year, our goal is ambitious yet achievable – to grow TheAssociation to over 10,000 members – ensuring a diverse and robust community of AI professionals.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of chapters in Austin, Dallas, Twin Cities, Seattle to help expand our global footprint while also establishing micro-communities.

We are also focused on nurturing the next generation of AI professionals by forging partnerships with leading universities, providing STEM students with invaluable job access opportunities, mentorship, and a platform to exchange experiences.

We are also focused on community building, by forging critical relationships with Industry, and Policy spheres to increase our awareness, influence, resources, and impact.

Stay tuned as well officially launch “Beyond Binary – The Human Side of AI, Data and Technology” our weekly podcast in February – where we have three rotating hosts who will bring their own area of expertise, interests, and style to this critical intersection.

Empowering Our Members: The #AIDeputies

We’re not just a community; we’re a collective force, crowd-sourcing experience to ensure a successful AI transformation.

You, as TheAssociation members, are the #AIDeputies = the first line of defense for an ethical, quality AI future.

You are in control of the data, its access, quality, usage, governance, and lifecycle.

We will continue building on the foundations we laid with our MVP 2023 to shift TheAssociation into a one-stop shop where you can exchange ideas, seek advice, discover opportunities, and get the tools that allow you to lead the next evolution. We will be focused on the following, plus a few surprises:

Bringing TheAssociation to You: Expect new social media forums on LinkedIn, and Discord to bring TheAssociation to you to improve community building, and member cross-engagement.
Ethics & Implementation Standards Portal: This will become a cornerstone for AI Governance, risk management and technical implementation standards that align with global standards.
Innovative Events: Our ‘unconference conference’ and bi-weekly forum events will provide unconventional mechanisms for collaboration, learning and networking.
Platform Enhancement: Member experience and value!! We will be launching our jobs and talent, as well as our education marketplaces to enrich your resources and to improve value and impact. Dare I say, TheAssociation App!!

Members Rally Call to Action: Get Involved, Advocate, Bridge, Lead

We urge you to take action:

Get Motivated: Understand the power and responsibility you hold in shaping the AI landscape.
Get Involved: Participate in our events, contribute to our forums, engage in the standards process, and utilize our resources to stay at the forefront of AI development.
Advocate: Share TheAssociation with your colleagues, bosses, sister teams, and clients. AI’s impact is universal, and broadening our reach is essential.
Bridge: Drive awareness and partnership opportunities with business professional organizations, universities and think tanks. Just as there won’t be a single AI sheriff, there are a ton of forums or efforts under way. We would love to partner, spotlight, and divide and conquer – there is so much to do, let’s do it together for more impact.
Lead: Take the initiative in your organization and community to promote ethical, quality AI practices.

Join Our Mission

As policymakers focus on intent-based policy, we—the implementers—are dedicated to defining ‘how’ to meet compliance and regulation at scale.

We’re not just preparing for the policy discussions of today but also for what lies ahead.

Join us in this endeavor to shape a future where AI is not only advanced but ethically grounded, secure, and inclusive.

The #AIVillage: A Call to Sponsors and Partners

In 2024, we invite sponsors to join our #AIvillage initiative.

Whether it’s through corporate memberships, tiered sponsorship, or our partner model, your support is pivotal in shaping an ethical AI future.

Our sponsorship models cater to various needs, from supporting your AI implementers’ personal development to playing a crucial role in guiding AI policy and ethical discussions.

The future is shaped by YOU so join us in this crucial year as we redefine the AI landscape. Your involvement as a member, advocate, leader, sponsor, or partner is not just valuable–it’s essential.

Together, we can ensure that AI advances ethically and responsibly.

To join our mission, or to learn more, visit https://theassociation.ai or reach out to us directly at contactus@theassociation.ai

Together, let’s build an AI future we can all be proud of.