Washington, D.C. – Dr. Maya Ackerman, a leading artificial intelligence expert and CEO of WaveAI, recently emphasized a proactive approach to combating antisemitism in the digital sphere, advocating for direct engagement with technology companies. Speaking to the American Jewish Committee (AJC), Ackerman highlighted AI's potential to "correct the digital world" by working directly with platforms to implement advocacy solutions.
"AI presents an incredible opportunity for Jews because 'instead of trying to control the whole world' and 'manage' social media, 'we can go directly to the companies' with 'advocacy solutions'," Ackerman stated, as reported in a recent social media post. She added, "For the first time, there is a path to correcting the digital world!"
Dr. Ackerman, also an Associate Professor at Santa Clara University, has been a vocal proponent of addressing biases embedded within AI systems. Her research has consistently revealed concerning patterns where generative AI models can produce offensive or stereotypical representations of Jewish identity, even from seemingly neutral prompts. This bias often stems from AI models being trained on skewed and unbalanced online content.
Her remarks align with broader efforts by organizations like the AJC to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. At the AJC Global Forum 2026, experts, including Dr. Ackerman, convened to discuss how AI can both amplify antisemitism and serve as a tool to counter it. The forum underscored the Jewish community's need to prepare for an increasingly AI-driven world.
Ackerman is a key figure in initiatives such as "Voice of the People" (Kol Ha’am) and "One Five Seven" (157), which are dedicated to embedding accurate, diverse, and positive Jewish representation into AI systems. These projects aim to reduce antisemitic bias and equip institutions to responsibly navigate the risks and opportunities of the AI era. This direct advocacy model seeks to influence the core development and training data of AI platforms, rather than solely reacting to harmful content after its generation.
