By Tenita Abraham
TECHNOLOGY & AI
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant fascination reserved for tech insiders. It is rapidly becoming part of everyday life, affecting everything from healthcare and education to employment, safety, and the information we consume. Recent headlines show billions being invested globally as corporations and governments compete to lead the AI race.
Meanwhile, many everyday citizens, especially in communities like ours, are still trying to understand what AI actually means. For some, the instinctive response has been avoidance. Not because we lack interest, but because the pace feels overwhelming and the risks feel unclear. Yet avoidance offers no protection. In fact, it leaves us more vulnerable in a world that is changing with or without our participation.
AI is no longer optional. It is shaping the world our children and grandchildren will inherit, and that means we cannot afford to watch from the sidelines.
AI carries tremendous promise. It can support overwhelmed caregivers, streamline healthcare, create new educational pathways, and open doors for small businesses and entrepreneurs. But this same technology can also create deep challenges if we are unprepared. Deepfake scams are rising. Seniors and vulnerable families are being targeted by AI-generated fraud. Jobs are shifting faster than workers can reskill. And
misinformation is spreading at a pace designed to confuse and divide.
The uncomfortable truth is that we have spent years feeding these systems without realizing it. Every online search, every social media post, and every digital interaction has helped train the technology now shaping our future. Understanding this isn’t about fear; it’s about awareness.
As AI accelerates, another critical question emerges: Who is making sure this technology is used responsibly and safely? While governments and corporations invest billions in AI infrastructure, policy conversations are happening far from the communities most affected. The decisions being made today will determine how our data is used, how our jobs evolve, and how our children are protected.
This is why AI must become a political conversation. Whether we enjoy politics or not, public policy is the only way to hold institutions accountable. We need laws that protect our identities, secure our data, prevent discrimination, and support workers whose jobs are being reshaped. We need investment in training and education so our community isn’t left behind in the next wave of economic change.
Remaining silent is not an option. When we don’t speak, decisions are made without us. And this moment is far too important for our voices to be absent.
The good news is that we don’t have to be experts to get involved. What we need
is awareness, curiosity, and a willingness to participate. That is how communities gain power. That is how families stay safe. And that is how we ensure opportunity flows to us, not around us.
Start with the basics: learn enough about AI to recognize misinformation, avoid scams, and understand how it is already being used around you. Ask elected officials where they stand on AI protections. Support policies that center safety, fairness, and opportunity. Encourage schools, churches, and community groups to incorporate AI education. And stay informed as the landscape evolves.
AI is here. It is powerful. And it is reshaping the world whether we prepare or not. Our community deserves to enter this new era with clarity, confidence, and protection. We have too much at stake to sit quietly while others decide our future.
Now is the time to learn, to speak up, and to stay engaged. Because when it comes to AI, we deserve a seat at the table — and a future where our voices are not just included, but valued.
Tenita Joi Abraham is a Certified AI Consultant, financial educator, and founder of Building Legacies, LLC. With over 25 years in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship, she empowers minority professionals and small business owners to integrate AI, financial literacy, and innovation into their daily lives. Learn more at ConsultingPros.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>www.Legacy–ConsultingPros.com
