FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WomenAILabs™ Names CK Taneja to Lead Urgent Chicagoland University Outreach for Fix the Algorithm Vibe Coding Weekend

Chicago, IL | July 2026 — WomenAILabs™ today announced that CK Taneja will serve as Founding University Relations & Campus Activation Advisory Lead for the July 18–19 Fix the Algorithm Vibe Coding Weekend, an urgent Chicago-built, globally open initiative focused on advancing fair, human-centered AI.

In this founding advisory role, Taneja will help WomenAILabs build its Chicagoland University track with one immediate goal: identify and announce at least one university partner by July 18. Ideally, that partnership will include a Saturday, July 18 campus or campus-aligned gathering for approximately 30 attendees, while the broader WomenAILabs Vibe Coding Weekend runs virtually for participants across locations.

“Universities are essential to this movement because they bring the students, faculty, volunteers, research strength, credibility, and spaces needed to prove change,” said Dawn C. Simmons, Founder of WomenAILabs™ and the #FixTheAlgorithm movement. “CK’s current work with Northwestern University and the University of Illinois makes him exactly the kind of trusted connector we need right now. We are honored to welcome him as one of our founding July track leaders.”

WomenAILabs’ university outreach effort will prioritize Chicagoland partners aligned with responsible AI, women in technology, student innovation, data science, entrepreneurship, ethics, and community impact. Early outreach will include Chicago and Illinois universities, innovation centers, faculty leaders, student organizations, women-in-tech groups, AI and data science programs, and entrepreneurship hubs.

Taneja’s role will focus on introducing WomenAILabs, Fix the Algorithm, and the July 18–19 Vibe Coding Weekend to university contacts. In addition, he will help coordinate Illinois-area volunteers interested in supporting student, faculty, mentor, and campus engagement.

“I’m thrilled to reconnect with Dawn and honored to join WomenAILabs in this advisory role to support the work of advancing equity in AI. Universities have a major role to play here. They bring together students, faculty, research, and startup energy in a way few other places can.

This role connects closely with my work at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, as well as my broader commitment to building partnerships that turn good ideas into real outcomes. I’m excited to help create pathways that support a future where AI is fair, inclusive, and built with people in mind.” said CK Taneja

The July 18–19 Vibe Coding Weekend is more than a hackathon. It is a proof-of-visibility lab where women, students, career changers, technologists, mentors, sponsors, and allies use AI to identify fairness gaps, build practical solutions, and create measurable progress toward equitable AI outcomes.

The university track will also seed longer-term collaboration through March 8, 2027, when WomenAILabs plans to showcase measurable progress tied to International Women’s Day. Beyond the immediate July goal, WomenAILabs will build a fall pipeline for campus activations, student builders, research collaboration, volunteer teams, and community-based AI equity labs.

“Global conversations about AI governance matter,” Simmons added. “However, fairness cannot live only in policy rooms. It must reach students, builders, classrooms, communities, and local innovation ecosystems. Chicago can prove what responsible AI looks like when people move with urgency, courage, and care.”

WomenAILabs is inviting Chicagoland universities, faculty members, student organizations, innovation centers, AI leaders, mentors, volunteers, and sponsors to join the July 18–19 Fix the Algorithm Vibe Coding Weekend.

Organizations interested in partnering, hosting a small July 18 campus-aligned gathering, nominating students, providing mentors, activating volunteers, or supporting future campus events may contact WomenAILabs directly.

Media and Partnership Contact

Dawn C. Simmons
Founder, WomenAILabs™
Info@WomenAILabs.org
925.297.7901
https://womenailabs.org

About WomenAILabs™

WomenAILabs™ is a human-centered AI initiative advancing fair, inclusive, and responsible AI through education, workforce readiness, community activation, governance, and practical innovation. Through the #FixTheAlgorithm movement, WomenAILabs connects leaders, sponsors, universities, mentors, technologists, students, and community builders to identify algorithmic harm, build solutions, and prove measurable progress toward Fair AI for All.

About CK Taneja

CK Taneja is a transformation leader, enterprise value creator, and trusted advisor with more than 20 years of experience helping Fortune 100 companies, startups, and high-growth organizations build systems that scale. As the founder of SCALIENT Growth System™, CK works with leaders to connect strategy, operating discipline, and measurable business value.

His work spans university partnerships, founder mentorship, AI adoption, and organizational change. CK is currently engaged with Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, where he has helped build collaborations that support students, strengthen innovation pathways, and expand access in technology.

As the Founding University Relations & Campus Activation Advisory Lead for WomenAILabs, CK will help activate Chicagoland University partnerships for the July 18–19 Fix the Algorithm Vibe Coding Weekend, supporting the mission to advance fair, practical, and human-centered AI.

CK brings a strong belief in the power of storytelling, systems thinking, and partnership to create real progress in equity-focused AI work.

LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/cktaneja