Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global economy — and Philadelphia is no exception. From healthcare and education to workforce development and city services, AI has the potential to unlock extraordinary benefits for communities. But without intentional action, it also risks deepening inequality, displacing workers, and reinforcing systemic bias — particularly among the city’s most vulnerable populations. This session will explore how investors can play a catalytic role in shaping an equitable AI future for Philadelphia. We’ll examine both the promise and perils of AI adoption through an impact lens:
How can investors deploy capital to ensure that AI-driven innovation benefits all Philadelphians, not just a privileged few?
What kinds of ventures, funds, and community initiatives are building inclusive AI ecosystems?
How can investors align their portfolios and advocacy to safeguard human dignity, transparency, and shared prosperity in an AI-powered economy such that we enable a better future for the Greater Philadelphia region?
Join us for a dynamic conversation with thought leaders at the intersection of technology, ethics, and inclusive growth. Together, we’ll explore how the region’s capital stewards can help ensure that Philadelphia becomes not jjust a beneficiary of the AI innovation — but a model for equitable and responsible tech-driven progress.
Speakers
Catherine Bracy
Founder & CEO of TechEquity and Author of World Eaters: How Venture Capital is Cannibalizing the Economy
Catherine Bracy is the Founder and CEO of TechEquity, an organization doing research and advocacy on issues at the intersection of tech and economic equity to ensure the tech industry’s products and practices create opportunity instead of inequality. She is also the author of World Eaters: How Venture Capital is Cannibalizing the Economy (Dutton: March, 2025). During the 2012 election cycle she was Director of Obama for America's Technology Field Office in San Francisco, the first of its kind in American political history. Prior to joining the Obama campaign, she was the administrative director at Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society. She is on the board of directors of the Terner Housing Labs.
Audrey Mocle
Executive Director, Open MIC
Audrey Mocle is an attorney with a wealth of experience in human rights, responsible technology, and corporate accountability. She has advised leading global businesses, international organizations, and civil society groups on all aspects of human rights governance. Prior to joining Open MIC as its Deputy Director, Audrey led the human rights program at the Royal Bank of Canada. Audrey holds degrees in management and law from McGill University and a Master’s in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her research on business and human rights has been cited by the UN Global Compact, the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Audrey is based in Toronto, Canada. Outside of work, she sits on the Board of Directors of Relay Education, a nonprofit that prepares youth for careers in the low-carbon economy.
Moderator
Lawrence Williams III
Co-founder and Partner at De-Carceration Fund
Lawrence is a co-founder and Partner at De-Carceration Fund where he focuses on fund strategy, partnerships, value-add opportunities, and due diligence. He also is a founder of a non profit called EII (Equitable innovation institute) Previously, Lawrence was the ecosystem developer for Social Venture Circle’s (SVC) Philadelphia & NYC Impact Angel Investor group. Social Venture Circle invests in early-stage, for-profit ventures solving social and/or environmental issues. Prior to SVC, Lawrence was a regional head (East Coast) of Strategic Partnerships at KiwiTech/Kiwi Venture Partners. KiwiTech is a Seed stage tech for equity accelerator and Series A capital investor. Lawrence also served as Chief Product Officer and CEO at a tech startup called “The Moves” that focused on stronger event engagement, facilitation platform for businesses, and a social event discovery platform for consumers. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Minor in Computer Information Systems from Howard University where he also served as President of The School of Business.