This title may come as a surprise to you considering that Latinos have historically been underrepresented in the Tech industry. This is something Latinitas has always taken to heart. Empowering our students to change the disappointing statistic that only 2% of Latinas work in the Tech field through our programs and conferences. However, according to a recent study brought on by the Latino Donor Collaborative in partnership with Conectado Inc. and Wells Fargo, things may be changing for the better. And the reason for all of this? AI.
In the past few years, AI has blown up, changing everything from the way we work to the way we generate memes. It’s a new and exciting, albeit frightening, world we’re venturing into and Latinos seem to be at the forefront of the movement, “Latinos are not only early adopters of AI but are also increasingly positioned as leaders in the field.” Despite the overall opinions of AI, this is a small win in the fight for representation. It’s important to remember that while AI itself may be divisive, it is certainly where the Tech industry is headed. If that’s where the world is taking us, it’s better to be there and be seen than have AI that is completely void of the Latino experience. While the statistics for Latinos in general Tech may be low, the statistics for Latinos in AI roles are staggering jumping from 48.7% to an exciting 58.7% in just a few years. It should be noted that there is still a disparity when it comes to Latinos receiving senior-level positions.
That being said, the study also discusses the intersectionality between business owners and AI usage, “For example, Latino-owned businesses are adopting AI technologies at twice the rate of their white counterparts, underscoring the community’s proactive integration into the digital economy. Additionally, Latino youth are engaging with AI at higher rates, leading the way in areas such as image creation, information gathering, and music production.”
While we are still in the early stages of discovering exactly where AI will land in our lives, things are looking promising for Latinos in the Tech industry. Maybe with these new advancements, that 2% notion can be a thing of the past!
To learn more view the results of the report here.
