Bennett College Explores Latimer AI with Founder, John Pasmore
Artificial intelligence continues to expand rapidly across nearly every industry, and colleges and universities are exploring how to integrate AI tools into the learning experience. At Bennett College, this exploration includes a focus on culturally informed and community aligned innovation. As part of this commitment, Bennett College welcomed John Pasmore, the founder of Latimer AI, to campus for a meaningful discussion focused on the role AI can play in empowering Black and Brown communities.
Latimer AI is gaining national attention because it represents a new category of technology. Rather than depending only on large general purpose AI systems that can overlook the depth of Black history and lived experiences, Latimer AI focuses on cultural accuracy and heritage. This approach makes it uniquely positioned to support educational institutions like Bennett College, where the mission centers on leadership, learning, and the celebration of historically marginalized voices.
Bringing John Pasmore to campus gave students, faculty, and staff a chance to explore what culturally grounded AI truly looks like.
Latimer AI is powered by its own database of historically significant archives, including The New York Amsterdam News (1925–present), the second-oldest Black newspaper in the United States. This unique foundation gives Latimer AI deep cultural fluency in Black and Brown experiences, sitting atop existing models, like ChatGPT, Claude AI, and others, to create something truly revolutionary.
We’re excited that every member of our community now has access to a free Latimer AI account that includes access to many familiar AI models; expanding learning, creativity, and innovation at Bennett College.
The importance of having culturally grounded AI on campus cannot be overstated. Latimer AI provides more than general information, it offers a framework for understanding that is rooted in historical truth and cultural experience. This supports students as they engage in academic work that requires nuance, context, and representation. It also gives them a technology tool that sees them and understands the history that shapes their lives, their studies, and their communities.
By giving students access to Latimer AI, Bennett College is ensuring that its community is prepared not only to use AI but also to influence how AI evolves. This is especially important at a time when AI literacy is becoming a core expectation across many fields. Students can use Latimer AI to strengthen writing, generate ideas, develop research topics, prepare for careers, and experiment with new forms of creative expression. Faculty members can explore ways to integrate AI into coursework in ways that support learning rather than replace it. Staff members can streamline processes and improve communication with tools that respect cultural context.
The visit from John Pasmore also demonstrates the significance of representation in the technology sector. When Black innovators lead the creation of new AI platforms, it shifts who gets to shape the future. It shows that technological breakthroughs can center the voices, histories, and cultural contributions of communities that have traditionally been overlooked in mainstream innovation spaces. For students at Bennett College, this is a powerful reminder that they too can become leaders in the development of emerging technologies.
This collaboration supports Bennett College’s mission to empower students through education, leadership, and community engagement. The integration of Latimer AI reflects a commitment to preparing students for a rapidly changing world by giving them access to tools that combine innovation with cultural understanding. The enthusiasm shown by students, faculty, and staff underscores how meaningful it is to engage with technology that reflects their history and identity.
