Canadian tech company Huggins has raised $1.4 million in funding for its new AI platform, Spark Plug, aimed at providing an equitable alternative to mainstream artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. The funding round saw support from TD Bank, Salesforce, The Government of Canada, NBA Canada, and the Foundation for Black Communities.
Spark Plug builds on the work Huggins has been doing since the company’s inception in 2015. Through its subsidiary, Tech Spark, Huggins has been working to empower K-12 children and teachers of color in education through tech and design school programs. With Spark Plug, the company plans to extend its reach to 100,000 students in the United States and Canada, offering an inclusive generative AI model.
The idea for Spark Plug came from Huggins’ desire to scale their existing curriculum design and development work to reach as many students as possible. By leveraging technology, Huggins aims to provide personalized content to students through devices, without the need for direct interaction.
To develop the product, Huggins drew inspiration from the Harlem Renaissance era and the Civil Rights movement. She also involved her 13-year-old daughter, Talia, to ensure the platform caters to Generation Z. By specifically considering African-American vernacular, Huggins trained the AI model to provide culturally relevant responses.
Huggins emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the AI space, noting that too often the Black community is overlooked or harmed when they are not actively involved in the development process. In her view, true technological innovation comes from a diverse range of voices and experiences.
Looking ahead, Huggins hopes that Spark Plug will level the playing field for children by providing readily available resources. She also aims to elevate African-American vernacular as a scholarly language. Huggins envisions a long-term shift in attitudes and behaviors, inspiring children to see the greatness within themselves.
Through Spark Plug, Huggins seeks to create a meaningful and deep connection between students and educators while ensuring mutual understanding of the material. She wants African-American vernacular and similar dialects to be respected and regarded on par with other scholarly languages.
With this funding, Huggins can further develop Spark Plug and make a lasting impact on students, inspiring them to recognize their own potential and pursue knowledge.
