New Data from the 2024 LDC U.S. Latinos in Tech Report: AI Adoption Rates Are Surging Among Latinos Despite Underrepresentation in Tech Industry

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC), a think tank dedicated to producing research that highlights economic opportunities for growth, has released the 2024 LDC U.S. Latinos in Tech Report: AI™, available for download. The fourth edition of the report, sponsored by Wells Fargo, highlights the rapid growth of AI adoption and usage across the U.S. Latino cohort, despite the disproportionate representation of Latinos in AI and tech positions.

“The data and real-world stories highlighted in this report demonstrate that Latinos are ready and able to lead in this space. By integrating Latino professionals into AI and tech roles, we can unlock new avenues of economic prosperity and innovation that will benefit all Americans.”

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The report also showcases increased educational attainment in AI-related degrees, real-world Latino case studies, and the first installment of the Latino AI Opportunity Map, showcasing the interconnectedness between technology growth hotspots in specific U.S. states and burgeoning Latino population growth in those same states.

The report will be released officially at the 2024 L’ATTITUDE Conference, taking place at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego from September 12 – 15. L’ATTITUDE is the largest business event in the country focused on “The New Mainstream Economy,” helping executives and business leaders understand the U.S. Latino cohort driving its growth and stay abreast of the latest economic trends and opportunities. Now in its seventh year, the conference was created as a platform to promote facts and data to catalyze economic growth opportunities for all Americans in the 21^st century.

Latinos and the AI Revolution at a Glance

• Adoption Rates: 14% of scaled Latino Owned Businesses (LOB) currently utilize AI technologies to enhance their business operations, compared to 7% of scaled White Owned Businesses (WOB).
• Latino Youth: AI adoption compared to their White counterparts:
  • Gathering Information: 54% vs. 41%
  • Creating pictures and images: 39% vs. 24%
  • Making music: 27% vs. 7%
  • Job functions: 24% vs. 10%
• Educational Attainment: The number of Latinos awarded a degree in STEM increased by 101.6% from the academic years 2012-2013 to 2021-2022. The number of Latino computer science awardees jumped by 180% between 2011 and 2022.
• Workforce Participation: The number of U.S. Latinos working in technical roles in AI increased by 48.7 to 58.7% between 2018 and 2022, compared to 10.8% growth in the total U.S. workforce.
• Room for Improvement: Despite comprising 19% of the US population, less than 10% of technical roles are staffed by Latinos. Latinos are also vastly underrepresented in senior positions at NASDAQ companies and the AI space more broadly.

LDC is the most trusted source of information and analysis on the economic impact of U.S. Latinos across all industries and levels. These reports are often relied upon by institutions such as the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee, and numerous Fortune 500 companies, which harness the data to project business trends and understand and appeal to Latino demographics.

This report continues the momentum of the LDC AI Initiative, a series of data-driven efforts and events aimed at equipping AI and technology industry leaders with the tools they need to integrate Latino talent across all levels of their organizations. This initiative, in partnership this year with Conectado, offers actionable recommendations for fostering partnerships, investing in education and training, and facilitating mentorship opportunities for Latinos in AI.

“While some audiences are wary of the pace of the AI revolution, U.S. Latinos are jumping in headfirst with a proven desire to lead us further into the digital age and harness its power for good,” said Ana Valdez, CEO and President of the Latino Donor Collaborative. “The data and real-world stories highlighted in this report demonstrate that Latinos are ready and able to lead in this space. By integrating Latino professionals into AI and tech roles, we can unlock new avenues of economic prosperity and innovation that will benefit all Americans.”

About Latino Donor Collaborative

The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) is an independently funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and think tank. The LDC has consistently provided economic and business data through meticulous research and fact-based insights. Its reports have become essential tools for U.S. resource allocators, highlighting the growing opportunities presented by the myriad contributions of U.S. Latinos across the social spectrum. Learn more at https://www.latinodonorcollaborative.org/.

About Conectado

Conectado is an immersive experience and gaming destination aimed at increasing Latino representation in STEM, with particular focus on the tech industry. By providing a comprehensive ecosystem of resources, relationships, and opportunities, Conectado empowers Latinos to excel in the STEM fields. The platform offers an immersive and interactive experience, connecting users with mentors, educational institutions, businesses, and social impact organizations committed to diversity and inclusion. Our value proposition is to create a holistic and supportive environment that fosters personal and professional growth for Latinos in technology. Learn more at https://conectado.com/.

About L’ATTITUDE

The brainchild of international business executive Sol Trujillo and NAHREP Co-Founder & CEO Gary Acosta, L’ATTITUDE hosts a world-class slate of CEOs, celebrities, economists, educators, entrepreneurs, journalists, politicians and industry influencers at its annual conference. Participants engage in open dialogue about the latest facts and data regarding America’s Latino Factor and the New Mainstream Economy. As the name implies, L’ATTITUDE is about staying on course to a growing and sustainable economic future for America. U.S. Latinos, our country’s youngest cohort, represent nearly 1 in 5 Americans, and account for over $3.2 trillion in GDP, making it the 5th largest economy in the world if it were a stand-alone country. L’ATTITUDE features presentations, panel discussions, interactive sessions, and entertainment featuring leading celebrities.