The evolving role of AI: from voice commands to hiring decisions

Sixty years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1965 Voting Rights Act, saying “The denial of the right to vote, is still a deadly wrong and the time for injustice has gone.” Today, we look back on the landmark legislation and the challenges voting rights see today. Joining Rose Scott for today’s special call-in edition of “Closer Look,” we’re joined by Andra Gillespie, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the James Weldon Johnson Institute at Emory University. Also, Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harris White, a Professor of Africana Studies at Morehouse College and co-founder of the college’s Black Men’s Research Institute and co-principal investigator for the Morehouse Movement, Memory, and Justice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers at Kennesaw State University are trying to better understand Alzheimer's disease and how to treat it. They are now using advanced computational modeling and drug discovery simulations that could potentially speed up treatment research. Rose talks with Chloe Yixin Xie, an assistant professor of information technology and Johaan Kathilankal Jis, a sophomore computer science student at KSU.   Plus, the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities, known as HBCUs, are the focus of a new book titled "Black, Not Historically Black: Towards the Pan-Black College and University." In the book, author Dr. Joseph Jones, who serves as the executive director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Southern Center for the Study of Public Policy, and an associate professor of political science at Clark Atlanta University-offers a critique of HBCUs. He talks with show host Rose Scott about why he believes HBCUs should evolve—from identifying as “historically Black” to “pan-Black.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 5 of WABE’s Peabody Award-winning podcast “Buried Truths” launches on August 26th. This season delves into the life of Clarence Horatious Pickett. The preacher and advertising salesman was beaten by police in December 1957, and died days later after a white doctor dismissed his injuries. For a special preview of the series, “Buried Truths” host Hank Klibanoff talks with Rose Scott about what listeners can expect for the upcoming season, how cases are selected to be featured on the podcast and more about Clarence Horatious Pickett’s case. Plus, this week marks the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. The landmark legislation signed into law on August 6th, 1965, aimed to end racial discrimination in voting and ensure that all Americans have equal access to the ballot. Fast forward to now, some argue that the legislation has been gutted and or weakened through challenges upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. As part of “Closer Look’s” week-long series, examining implications of the Voting Rights Act, host Rose Scott talks with Lauren Groh-Wargo, chief executive officer of Fair Fight, and Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, who serves as the general counsel for the organization. They talked about Fair Fight’s mission and why they believe the fight for constitutional rights is long-term and ongoing, not limited to one case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A heat wave has swept across metro Atlanta this week, with temperatures hitting 100 degrees. “Closer Look” host Rose Scott talks with Rounaq Basu, an assistant professor in the School of City and Regional Planning at Georgia Tech. Climate scientists warn that extreme heat events like this are becoming more frequent due to human-caused climate change. Basu discusses Georgia Tech's NO-HEAT (Neutralizing Onerous Heat Effects on Active Transportation) initiative, which aims to develop data-driven tools to help communities adapt to dangerous urban heat.   Plus, we revisit Rose’s conversation with Adrienne Rice, the executive director of Sustainable Georgia Futures. During the discussion, Rice leads a climate gentrification tour through Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward and explains why she believes the neighborhood has been reshaped by climate-related development pressures. She also shares more about SGF’s mission to help historically marginalized communities grow and thrive in the green economy. Additional insight during the tour comes from Genesis Tilman, Drew Barnes, and Liyaah Rocha.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a special edition of “Closer Look,” we explore the good, the bad, and the complexities of using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in our everyday lives. Researchers and experts discuss AI in voice recognition, the controversy surrounding its use in human resources software, and its role in denying medical claims. We revisit Rose’s conversations with Rick Gundling, the senior vice president of professional practice with the Healthcare Financial Management Association, Glenn Danas, a partner at Clarkson Law Firm, Dan Beck, president and chief product officer at SAP SuccessFactors and Hilke Schellmann, an investigative journalist and professor at New York University.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The GRO Fund is launching Freedom Futures: Cash for Today, Capital for Tomorrow. The pilot program, which aims to address the racial wealth divide, gives selected participants $500 a month in guaranteed income and up to $40,000 in Baby Bonds for wealth-building, along with financial advising. Hope Wollensack, the founding executive director of the GRO Fund, and Amit Khanduri, the director of programs, talk more about the goal of the program and its application.   Plus, for more than 40 years, Oscar Harris has used his creativity and vision to conceptualize and design. Harris is recognized as one of the most influential architects in the South. Some of his work can be found across metro Atlanta, including Centennial Olympic Park, the atrium at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the interiors of MARTA stations. For a special audio documentary, Rose Scott talks with Harris about his career journey from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Atlanta, as well as his passion for mentorship and putting things together. Scott also talks with Melody Harclerode, the executive director of SPIKE Studio, which Harris founded in 2004.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The City of Atlanta is working to eradicate homelessness in downtown ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s all part of the city’s Downtown Rising initiative. However, the effort has drawn criticism from housing advocates. Some say residents recently cleared from encampments remain without access to supportive housing. Cathryn Vassell, CEO of Partners for HOME, talks about the city's rehousing initiative and the importance of meeting the individual needs of a person experiencing homelessness.   Plus, we preview our upcoming audio documentary on Oscar Harris, the architect credited with helping shape much of modern Atlanta — from the city’s airport to Centennial Olympic Park.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Southwest Atlanta, students as young as five years old are learning how to imagine a future well beyond what they can see. It’s happening at the OURCHIVES Summer Camp at Imhotep Academy. Recently, Rose Scott and the “Closer Look” team visited the campus. Scott talked with students, parents and cofounders Melek Dexter and Dr. Assata Moore. They discussed the goal of the 8-week camp and explained how they are teaching subjects such as calculus, critical thinking, “top secret” history – that’s grounded in confidence, imagination and African epistemology.   Plus, Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died at 54. The multi-talented superstar is best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on "The Cosby Show." Warner, an Emmy-nominated actor and Grammy award-winning poet, is being remembered as a gifted artist. Rose talks with Nsenga Burton — an award-winning journalist, entrepreneur and editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire — and Dr. Maurice Hobson, an author, historian and professor of Africana studies and history at Georgia State University. They reflect on Warner’s creative body of work, his life and his legacy. Burton also shares details about her recently published op-ed that focuses on Warner’s life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leadership changes are underway for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Last week, MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood stepped down, citing concerns about his immigration status and “personal matters.” For now, Chief Customer Experience Officer Rhonda Allen is the acting CEO and general manager. Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman, returns to “Closer Look” to talk more about the state of Atlanta’s public transportation system as the city gears up for the FIFA World Cup 26.   Plus, Chris Brand, president and CEO of Friends of Disabled Adults and Children. He shares more about the organization’s mission to provide medical equipment to Georgians — and how the nonprofit is responding amid ongoing federal cuts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Atlanta Community Press Collective has published documents obtained by the news outlet in an open records lawsuit against the Atlanta Police Foundation. Executive director Matt Scott and in-house legal counsel Sam Hamilton join “Closer Look” to discuss the lawsuit and what they uncovered in the records.   Plus, Atlanta aims to end homelessness in the city’s downtown before hosting the World Cup next year. Annie Hyrila, chief programs officer at Partners for HOME, gives an overview of the plan and why she believes it’s achievable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.