Are Latina workers lagging behind in the use of AI?
According to a recent report by Latinas in Tech, 92% of Hispanic women consider it crucial to master artificial intelligence, or AI, but only 53% feel confident using it. More than half have never received on-the-job training.
Among those who did receive training (31.4%), many found it too generic to be helpful. Additionally, 41% said they did not receive training despite believing they needed it.
Nikki Barua, interim executive director of Latinas in Tech—which represents more than 44,000 industry professionals—said the lack of access represents a missed opportunity.
'Latinas have a 69% labor force participation rate, which positions them as a fundamental pillar of economic growth in the United States,' she said.
Women adopt AI tools at a rate 25% slower than men, which could leave them behind, the report noted.
The International Monetary Fund analyzed the potential impact of AI on the labor market and found that nearly 40% of global employment is exposed to the technology.
Historically, automation and information technology have affected routine tasks. But one of the characteristics that differentiates AI is its impact on highly skilled jobs.
'AI therefore poses greater risks to advanced economies compared to emerging and developing markets, but it also presents more opportunities to exploit its benefits,' the IMF reported.
The IMF reported that in advanced economies, about 60% of jobs could be affected by AI. Approximately half of those jobs may benefit from AI integration by improving productivity.
For the other half, AI applications could take over tasks currently performed by humans, potentially reducing labor demand, wages and hiring. In extreme cases, some jobs could disappear.
The Latinas in Tech report found that 55.9% of respondents said they were excited about AI's use in their careers; 25% were cautious; and 13.3% were concerned about being left behind in the field.
When asked about the main barrier to accessing training, 39.9% cited lack of time, 27.7% pointed to limited financial resources, 17.6% mentioned insufficient employer support, and 14.9% said they faced no obstacles.
Barua emphasized that AI is becoming a core skill across all industries. Ignoring it, she said, risks losing access to a critical portion of the talent pool—just when agility, diversity and innovation are most needed.
'This goes beyond professional development; it's a strategic issue. Companies that invest in training their diverse talent to master artificial intelligence will be better prepared to compete and adapt to the future,' she said.
She added that the existing gap is a wasted opportunity—not due to a lack of interest or motivation, but rather a lack of access, investment and targeted training.
To help close the gap, Latinas in Tech will host the Latinas in Tech Summit in San Francisco from May 28–30.
The summit, expected to draw more than 1,500 attendees, will offer practical tools and foster connections and visibility to accelerate Latinas' leadership in technology.
'The event will serve as a platform to close gaps, empower communities, and build a more inclusive future,' Barua said.
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