Artificial intelligence is reshaping nearly every industry in the United States, from manufacturing to finance to health care. But for Black workers, the rapid shift brings both new opportunities and serious risks.

According to labor experts, Black employees are disproportionately represented in jobs most vulnerable to automation, including customer service, retail, transportation, and administrative roles. At the same time, Black professionals remain underrepresented in high-paying tech fields like machine learning, data science, and cybersecurity.

The winners in this AI-driven economy are those with access to reskilling programs, tech education, and capital to launch AI-powered businesses. Several HBCUs, including Howard, Morehouse, and NC A&T, are expanding AI and robotics programs to close the gap.

The biggest threat? A widening economic divide. Without intervention, from corporate diversity programs to federal workforce investments, Black workers risk losing billions in income by 2030.

The future can be inclusive, but only if the country prioritizes equitable access to tech-driven opportunity.