Passion Labs in Conversation with Ngozi Cadmus

Passion Labs in Conversation with Ngozi Cadmus: Master AI Before It Masters You

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Ngozi Cadmus is not your typical tech founder. A social worker and psychotherapist turned AI entrepreneur, she brings a deep understanding of people, emotions and equity into a space often dominated by technical voices.

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In this edition of Passion Labs in Conversation, Ngozi shares how fear, courage and community shaped her journey into AI and how her startup Tru Tones is redefining representation in generative technology.

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Ngozi's Journey

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Ngozi’s path into AI began with a question: Who gets to be seen in the digital future?

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Driven by her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, she founded Tru Tones - a "bias-free AI video and image generator built for the global majority".

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"We’re flipping the script in generative AI. When you type ‘woman,’ you shouldn’t only get one kind of woman.”

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The platform, now in beta with over 100 early users, allows creators to generate photorealistic images and 3D animations that accurately reflect the full spectrum of human skin tones, cultures and stories.

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From children’s books to storytelling projects, Tru Tones enables people to create characters that look and feel authentic (without the exhausting prompt engineering often required to achieve diversity).

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“All those prompts I had to write just to get a beautiful Black image? I don’t have to do that anymore. Tru Tones fills that gap.”

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Facing Fear and Finding Courage in AI

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Ngozi is refreshingly candid about fear. She doesn’t pretend AI adoption is easy or comfortable  but she believes fear shouldn’t stop us from engaging.

“AI can be scary sometimes. But what do they say? Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

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She encourages people, especially those outside of tech, to confront what scares them:

• Are you afraid of being replaced?
• Are you afraid you won’t understand it?

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Her advice: learn, upskill, and get curious.

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"Do not become replaced by AI because you are so afraid. Master AI before it masters you.”

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Human Values in a Digital Revolution

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At its core, Ngozi’s message is one of empowerment. She views AI not as a disruptor to be feared but as a new literacy... something anyone can learn, regardless of background. Her journey from psychotherapy to AI underscores the shared DNA between both fields: empathy, communication and transformation.

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"People were scared of the internet. People were scared of television. People are always scared of new things. But growth always starts with confronting fear.”

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For Ngozi, AI is not just about code or data. It’s about representation, justice and courage in the face of rapid change.

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The Future She’s Building

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With Tru Tones, Ngozi isn’t just creating a product; she’s building a movement- one that celebrates visibility, creativity, and community.

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"We’re in our beta phase, but the response has been incredible. I’m just honored to create this platform for people who look like me.”

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Her story is a reminder that the future of AI isn’t written by machines. It’s written by people bold enough to bridge humanity and technology.

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About Passion Labs

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Passion Labs is an AI research and development lab building technologies and thought leadership that amplify human potential. Through our “In Conversation” series, we spotlight diverse voices shaping the future of AI, across industry, ethics, and creativity.

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