AI Law Initiative
Howard Law Artificial Intelligence Initiative
The Howard Law Artificial Intelligence Initiative stands at the forefront of a pivotal moment in history—a moment when technology, law, and justice converge and when algorithms are quietly redrawing the architecture of society. This technology can either entrench systemic inequities or become a lever for progress, depending on who builds it and who is at the table when the blueprints are drawn. Howard University School of Law, with its unparalleled legacy of advancing civil rights and democracy, is uniquely qualified to lead this transformation.
Artificial Intelligence will shape the future of work, governance, culture, and democracy—but it is being built largely without the input or benefit of historically excluded communities. By founding the Howard Law AI Initiative—"The Initiative”—at Howard Law, we aim to radically shift this dynamic. The Initiative is dedicated to supporting diverse, mission-driven entrepreneurs who will build the next generation of AI technologies. In addition, the Initiative will bring communities together, build accountability systems, and ensure that leaders are fluent in both technology and fundamental rights.
Contact Us
Howard Law AI Initiative
Staff
Roy L. Austin, Jr.
Director, Howard Law AI Initiative
Location
2900 Van Ness Street, N.W.
409 Notre Dame Hall
Washington, DC 20008
Today’s AI systems mirror the biases and blind spots embedded in their training data, consistently overlooking Black voices, histories, and achievements, along with the experiences of other marginalized communities, and hard-wiring those omissions into real-world outcomes. This is not inevitable; it is the result of who builds these tools and who owns the data. Without intervention, AI risks becoming the blueprint for a new era of inequality, deepening divides and reinforcing social and economic caste systems. The Initiative will empower communities to transform AI from a threat into a force for justice.
Through real-world entrepreneurship projects, policy design, and community convenings, The Initiative will attract global thought leaders, legal scholars, tech pioneers, and changemakers committed to building a future where AI expands opportunity for all.
Our work is anchored in three pillars:
Impact Foundry: Supporting diverse, mission-driven entrepreneurs developing equity-centered technologies by connecting them to legal, technical, and business expertise to scale their ventures.
Justice Lab: Equipping civil rights leaders, technologists, and policymakers to understand both the promise and the peril of AI, ensuring technology serves humanity.
Next Gen Leaders: Preparing future lawyers, legal scholars, and advocates to lead in shaping ethical and equitable AI governance.
In a world racing toward automation and complexity, intentional leadership is more urgent than ever. At Howard Law, we are embracing this moment with urgency and vision. We invite philanthropies, corporations, venture partners, and values-driven individuals to join and support The Initiative. Your support can come in a variety of forms, including financial, expert mentorship, and/or board service. Your partnership will directly enable groundbreaking research, entrepreneurial ventures, and the cultivation of a generation equipped to lead the intersection of technology, fundamental rights, and democracy.
AI will either accelerate division or dismantle barriers—it is up to us to decide which future becomes reality. The Howard Law Artificial Intelligence Initiative is committed to bending the arc of technology toward justice, and together we can ensure that AI is designed and deployed in ways that uphold dignity, strengthen democracy, and advance equality for generations to come.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss our vision in greater depth and answer any questions. Thank you for considering this historic partnership.