Nothing happens in a vacuum. That’s the truth at the heart of intersectionality. We can’t have a conversation about Racial Justice without talking about the extractivism that butts up against Economic and Environmental Justice. And no treatise on Human Rights is complete without exploring how the AI supply chain creates climate refugees. It’s no different when we look at the ways AI influences Economic Justice around the world.

Economic Justice is concerned with the moral principles that guide the design of our economic institutions, as defined by the U.S.-based Center for Social and Economic Justice. The ultimate goal of Economic Justice is to free every one of us to focus on things we love and engage creatively without economics as our driving force. At its core, it’s about putting people over profit. The harms experienced at this intersection include bias, discrimination, widening geographic inequality, exploitation of workers, opaque systems, monopoly and centralization, violation of consumer rights, extractivism, and manipulation.

These harms often impact people who are already vulnerable. For example, in the United States, the agency that handles Michigan’s unemployment insurance uses the Michigan Integrated Data Automated System, which incorrectly flagged about 40,000 people as fraudsters from 2013 through 2015. The state eventually fixed the system, but the damage has already been done: the wrongly accused have been subjected to denied benefits, fines, repossessions, and even bankruptcy.

We also see this pop up as bias in the algorithms. Amazon created its own AI recruitment tool to help evaluate resumes of people who applied to work as software developers. It wasn’t long before it was uncovered that the algorithm was poorly ranking applications from people it assumed were women. Why? The dataset used to train the system consisted of mostly men’s resumes submitted over the past decade. The result is that it penalized all resumes that included the word “women’s” as well as folks who graduated from a couple of specific women’s only universities.

But perhaps the largest disparities arise when we look to the future of AI. In the United States, where I’m based, the median wealth amassed by Black households like mine is just 15 percent of that amassed by white households; to put dollars to that, we have about $44,900 USD to their $285,000 USD. This is the result of many systemic factors that stretch all the way back to the enslavement of my people on this land. Meanwhile, predictions have AI adding about $7 trillion USD to the global economy each year, with nearly $2 trillion USD of that concentrated in the U.S. The McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility warns that if generative AI technology development continues on its current trajectory, by 2045 it will likely exacerbate the inequity, widening the gap by $43 billion USD each year.

That growing inequity is just one reason it’s key to support and fund AI systems created by people of the Global Majority who are typically underrepresented and under-resourced. That’s what Deldelp Medina (she/her) does in her role as executive director at Black & Brown Founders, which provides community, education, and access to help Black and Latine entrepreneurs in the United States build businesses in a tech industry that doesn’t often fund people pushed to the margins.

Rankin: Why is it crucial to you to work at the intersection of economic justice and AI?

Medina: In the intricate fabric of American society, the Black and Latine communities are not mere threads but vital weavers of its tapestry. Together, we form the foundation upon which the nation stands. Embedded within our collective us lies the very essence of resilience, creativity, and innovation that propels the United States. United by shared experiences of struggle and cultural innovation, these communities embody the ethos of collaboration and cooperation. And our contributions extend far beyond our own neighborhoods, enriching the cultural and economic landscape of the entire nation.

Shifting power to Black and Latine communities transcends mere representation; it is a catalyst for systemic change and societal evolution. By creating an environment that fosters entrepreneurship, creativity, and ownership, we not only enhance our own well-being, but we also catalyze broader economic growth and prosperity for all.

In some ways, AI is just another tool. But it’s also another tech disruption that we know will impact our communities’ low wage jobs. This is why we must be at the forefront of ensuring our shared economic and cultural viability in the 21st century.

Rankin: Why is collaboration important for effectively tackling issues at the intersection of AI and economic justice?

Medina: Collaboration is paramount in addressing the intersection of AI and economic justice. Initiatives like the Black Innovation Alliance, Zebras Unite, and the Inclusion Capital Collective exemplify the power of community-driven solutions. They highlight the essential role of bringing together many different perspectives and voices to shape inclusive, equitable outcomes. Without active community involvement, progress stagnates. These collaborations foster innovation, promote representation, and ensure the needs of under-resourced communities are prioritized. By working together, we amplify our impact, forging a path toward a more just and equitable future where we can all thrive.

Rankin: What are some ways AI can support communities of color?

Medina: AI has the potential to shift power to under-represented communities in the pursuit of Economic Justice. Training programs can equip community members with the skills to leverage AI effectively, enabling them to navigate job markets, access educational resources, and advocate for their rights. Moreover, creating community-driven AI solutions tailored to local needs ensures relevance and inclusivity, and positions us to harness the power of inclusive datasets to address systemic inequities. By democratizing access to AI tools and knowledge, our communities can assert agency, drive innovation, and shape our economic destinies on our own terms.

We have our own geniuses, datasets, and tools. But the willingness to focus, fund, and follow through on developing them has not been consistent. That is why if readers understand why this work is important, I ask you to write the check, send the wire, and make the donation.

Rankin: If you had a magic wand, what is the first thing you would use it to fix in this space?

Medina: My first act would be to ensure equitable funding for community engagement, education, and power-shifting initiatives within AI and Economic Justice realms. Too often, vital voices are silenced or sidelined due to inadequate compensation and lack of access to reparative capital. By investing in these communities, we unlock their potential, fostering innovation, representation, and sustainable solutions. Providing people the resources they need to advocate for their rights and shape their economic futures is the cornerstone of building a more just and inclusive society.

Rankin: Here’s to feuling dreams — and movements.

This post is part of a series that explores how AI impacts communities in partnership with people who appear in our AI Intersections Database (AIIDB). The AIIDB maps the spaces where social justice areas collide with AI impacts, and catalogs the people and organizations working at those intersections. Visit to learn more about the intersection of AI and Economic Justice.