A pre-seed funding round of $1.4 million was recently announced by Tech Spark AI, an artificial intelligence organization, to further develop the Spark Plug conceptual AI software. The funding round, disclosed on Wednesday, saw participation from Amazon, Canada’s federal government, and NBA Canada, with TD Bank leading the investment.
Founded by Tamar Huggins eight years ago in Toronto, Tech Spark AI initially focused on creating educational resources for Black and brown students across North America. Over time, this evolved into a vision for providing a more personalized learning experience to students.
The initiative was co-founded by Tamar Huggins and her 13-year-old daughter, Talia Grant, with the goal of offering a Black-owned alternative to mainstream AI search engines like ChatGPT. Spark Plug has established partnerships with educational institutions in underserved Black and Brown communities in the United States and Canada.
Targeting Generation Z as its primary audience, Spark Plug’s initial release allows users to transform traditional literary text into contemporary language, specifically African American Vernacular English (AAVE), a dialect popularized by Black Americans and widely used by Gen Z online.
Huggins emphasized the importance of considering Black perspectives in technology development, highlighting the potential negative impacts on Black communities when technology fails to account for their needs. She underscored the significance of leveraging technology to address existing challenges and create impactful and safe solutions.
Despite facing challenges in fundraising, Huggins persisted with the project, beginning work on Spark Plug in 2020 amidst personal commitments. Following increased interest from investors post-George Floyd’s death, Spark Plug gained traction, culminating in funding from TD Bank. Huggins acknowledged the shifting landscape for Black entrepreneurs in the ed-tech sector and the supportive role played by initiatives like the Foundation for Black Communities’ Investment Readiness Program.
Spark Plug’s innovative approach, rooted in amplifying underrepresented voices and ideas, has garnered praise for its commitment to empowering Black communities through technology. The system’s focus on incorporating diverse perspectives aims to redefine the future of technology by acknowledging and valuing racial diversity.
In addition to language translation capabilities, Spark Plug has developed a LearningDNA analysis tool to assist educators in understanding optimal learning approaches for students. By incorporating elements like hip-hop music to elucidate complex concepts, Spark Plug aims to cater to diverse learning styles and dialects, recognizing the unique educational needs of Black children globally.
