Read the short biographies below and get to know the featured guests joining us for the 2026 Chicago Tech Forum: Leading and Advancing in the Age of AI, taking place on Tuesday, May 19 at the exclusive Foundation Room inside House of Blues Chicago. This year’s distinguished panel brings together accomplished leaders spanning AI strategy, healthcare innovation, leadership development, and workforce transformation—each bringing unique expertise and real-world perspectives to a timely conversation
Tech (20)
The future of the American economy will be shaped by technology. Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, automation, fintech, healthcare technology, and data science are rapidly transforming how companies operate and compete. At the center of this transformation lies a workforce challenge that few industries can ignore: the United States needs significantly more skilled tech professionals than it currently produces.
At the same time, one demographic group is growing faste
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global economy at an extraordinary pace, influencing how businesses operate, how workers perform their jobs, and how consumers access information. Within the United States, one of the most dynamic groups navigating this transformation is the Hispanic community.
Latinos are among the fastest adopters of emerging technologies—including AI-powered tools like chatbots, automated analytics, and generative content platforms. At the same time, the community face
Artificial intelligence is no longer a “future of work” concept—it’s a present-day force reshaping hiring, productivity, education, and entrepreneurship. For U.S. Hispanics, the stakes are especially high: Latinos are one of the fastest-growing contributors to the U.S. workforce and a major driver of economic growth, yet they are unevenly positioned across the jobs most likely to be transformed by AI.
This article breaks down what experts and research are saying—using real numbers—about where H
The holidays are the perfect time to upgrade everyday life with tech that’s not just trendy — but truly useful. The best gifts blend health, productivity, convenience, security, and lifestyle enhancement into tools that support fast-moving, always-connected lives.
From wellness wearables and smart home displays to travel-ready power banks and productivity boosters, today’s tech gifts should earn their place in daily routines. Below are 15 practical, high-impact tech gifts that align with how p
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it is embedded across apps, platforms, content flows, and advertising. For Hispanic Americans, this technological wave is intersecting with deep cultural, linguistic, and generational dynamics. Understanding how Hispanic consumers adopt, respond to, and shape AI-driven experiences is essential for brands, creators, and technologists aiming to reach this fast-growing demographic.
AI Adoption & Usage Among Hispanic Consumers
Accordi
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept reserved for Silicon Valley; it has become a critical workplace skill across industries. From healthcare and finance to marketing and manufacturing, AI tools are reshaping how business is conducted. For Hispanic professionals, gaining AI proficiency represents both an opportunity and a responsibility: the chance to lead in innovation and the need to ensure equitable participation in the digital economy.
The Rising Demand for AI Skil
Source: "Latinos Making Moves in AI and Cybersecurity" Tech Chicago Week by HispanicPro at 2112 Tech Incubator
1. Latino Leadership and Momentum in AI Adoption
Latino entrepreneurs are accelerating their engagement with AI. Approximately 14% of scaled Latino-owned businesses have integrated AI technologies—double the rate of white-owned firms. Within technical AI roles, the Latino workforce saw major gains between 2018 and 2022, though Latinos still occupy under 10% of these roles overall.
Educ
Event an official partner of Tech Chicago Week
Join us for an exclusive evening of insight and connection at the "Latinos Making Moves in Cybersecurity and AI" discussion panel + networking event, happening Wednesday, July 23 at 2112 — Chicago’s premier Creative Arts and Tech Incubator.
Meet our distinguished lineup of Latino innovators and thought leaders driving impact in tech. Presented in partnership with Tech Chicago Week, Siemens and Illinois Tech, this event is where community, culture,
Source: Getty Images
In a significant development, Instagram has begun allowing its public Business and Creator account content to be indexed by search engines like Google and Bing. This update, rolled out in July 2025, enables a broader online presence for users whose content was previously confined within the app.
What does this mean in practical terms? Your posts, captions, alt text, hashtags, and even your profile bio can now appear in search engine results. It’s a transformative
Latino influencers are no longer just content creators — they’re cultural trendsetters, entrepreneurial leaders, and economic drivers shaping industries across the U.S. Their growing digital reach and trusted community connections are fueling consumer spending, brand growth, and small business success.
Why Latino Influencers Matter
Latinos currently command an estimated $3.4 trillion in U.S. economic activity, according to multiple reports, and influencers are pivotal in driving that purchasing
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the modern workplace at an unprecedented pace. For Latino professionals — who are historically overrepresented in roles vulnerable to automation — understanding how AI will impact careers and industries is crucial. This moment presents both risks and remarkable opportunities.
The Risk of Displacement, and a Skills Opportunity
Latino workers remain overrepresented in sectors like agriculture, retail, and food service — industries facing the highest ri
In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from a futuristic concept to a practical tool that enhances workplace productivity across various industries. By automating routine tasks, providing data-driven insights, and facilitating smarter decision-making, AI enables professionals to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of their work.
Automating Routine Tasks
AI excels at handling repetitive and time-consuming tasks, freeing up employees to concentrate on higher-value activities.
Latinos are not only early adopters of AI but are also increasingly positioned as leaders in the field. With Latinos making up nearly 20% of the U.S. population and the youngest demographic group, their influence on the future of AI is significant. As AI continues to reshape industries and create new market opportunities, the inclusion of Latino talent becomes a business imperative. READ MORE AT LATINO DATA COLLABORATIVE
Latino children make up one of the fastest-growing demographics in K-12 education. Yet few are likely to grow up and establish careers in technology. For them, there’s obviously a leak somewhere in the school-to-jobs pipeline.
Just one in 10 tech workers are Latino. READ MORE AT EDSURGE
Here we are in 2024, and the world of marketing is evolving more than ever. As it continues to change, we see all sorts of new emerging technologies and consumer behaviours which have changed the way we market. The same old tricks don’t work the same as they once did, so knowing the latest ways to market your business is important. If you’re looking to stand out in 2024, then here are some marketing strategies that you’ll want to try. READ MORE AT MIDDLEME
The rise of remote work during the pandemic led several Silicon Valley venture capitalists to escape California, with its wildfires and high taxes. Miami, with a large Latino population, and Atlanta, with a large Black population, have both seen higher interest.
Data from Crunchbase compiled for Reuters showed startups with a Black or Hispanic founder got 3.5% of the record $311 billion U.S. venture funding in the year to Dec. 16, up from an average 2.5% in the previous five years.
Florida and
SupplyHive™, an innovative provider of Supplier Performance Management Technology, announced today that it closed $2 million in seed funding by securing investors who believe in the power of diversity and inclusion: led by LOUD Capital with co-investors Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund and Cleveland Avenue-CAST US.
“Capital from this funding will allow the company to reach the next level of scale and impact by growing our sales and marketing resources and furthering product development a
Many organizations recently have looked to apply diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in their workplace. While diversity and inclusion in technology involves developing and nurturing these practices internally, companies should also consider the diversity of the people who use their products. READ MORE AT THE SERVER SIDE
From Mark Zuckerberg to your local IT professional, it's no secret that tech pays. But how well? And what jobs pay the most?
The career data website Comparably recently sought to answer these questions. They surveyed over 12,000 employees in top-level positions, and produced a list of 10 highest-paying ones, with salaries all over $150,000. READ MORE AT USA TODAY
