Tamar Huggins and her 13-year-old daughter have launched Spark Plug, a generative AI platform designed to address racial inequities in technology. The tool recently secured $1.4 million in funding from TD Bank, Salesforce, The Government of Canada, Foundation for Black Communities, and NBA Canada.
Spark Plug focuses on serving diverse audiences and was built using ethical data inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and Civil Rights movements. Its voice is modeled after Huggins’ daughter to connect with younger users.
“Technology is often designed without Black perspectives, leading to negative impacts on our communities,” Huggins said. “Spark Plug aims to create safe, meaningful solutions tailored to our needs.”
With its slogan, “AI Driven by the Culture,” Spark Plug plans to expand its reach in the U.S. and Canada, using technology to celebrate cultural history and foster inclusivity.
