As we approach the celebration of Juneteenth next month on June 19th, we commemorate the achievements and strides made by Black individuals across various spheres, including education, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and employment. Recent research underscores the progress made by Black professionals, yet also highlights looming challenges posed by the integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in the workplace.
College Degree Attainment and Employment Trends
Black professionals are achieving higher rates of college degree attainment compared to two decades ago, a testament to their dedication and resilience. Moreover, the entrepreneurial spirit within the Black community is thriving, with an increasing number of Black-owned businesses making significant contributions to the economy. Additionally, the employment gap between white and Black individuals has notably narrowed, signifying progress towards greater economic equity.
The Rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)
However, a December report by McKinsey & Company sheds light on potential disparities that may arise from the widespread adoption of GenAI. While previous automation technologies primarily affected low-wage jobs, GenAI poses a greater risk to higher-wage, knowledge-based roles, including those occupied by Black professionals. The report warns that without proactive reskilling efforts, Black employees may face heightened job insecurity due to automation.
Supporting Black Employees in the Age of AI
To mitigate the adverse impacts of AI on Black workers, concerted efforts are needed from employers, AI developers, and diversity and inclusion leaders. Employers in sectors prone to automation should invest in reskilling initiatives tailored to the needs of Black employees. AI developers must prioritize equity and diversity in the development of algorithms to prevent the perpetuation of biases. Additionally, HR teams and diversity leaders play a crucial role in understanding and mitigating AI’s negative impacts on marginalized communities.
Harnessing GenAI for Equitable Healthcare
In healthcare, the potential of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) to address disparities in access to care and outcomes among Black Americans is profound. Historically, inequitable access to healthcare has hindered Black Americans from leading healthy, fulfilling lives. Shockingly, twenty-six percent of Black Americans lack a stable healthcare provider, exacerbating disparities in health outcomes. Additionally, a significant portion of Americans residing in pharmacy deserts are Black or Latino, further compounding issues of access to essential medications and services.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Black patients experience worse health outcomes than their White counterparts across 75 percent of health measures, including life expectancy, chronic diseases, cancer incidence, and mortality. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for interventions to address systemic inequities in healthcare.
Among the most glaring examples of racial disparities in healthcare outcomes is the unequal treatment of Black mothers and children during and after pregnancy. Black pregnant individuals face significant disparities in outcomes, with delays or lack of prenatal care affecting nine percent of pregnancies. Moreover, over 14 percent of Black births are preterm, which can lead to enduring health challenges throughout childhood and adulthood.
However, AI-driven interventions in prenatal care have shown promise in reducing preterm births. By leveraging AI to aggregate and synthesize patient medical histories and social determinants of health, providers can identify risk factors earlier in pregnancies and connect patients with appropriate care promptly.
Gen AI holds the potential to enhance early interventions further by generating personalized summaries and action plans for providers and patients. By integrating this technology into the care of all Black pregnant individuals, thousands of Black babies could potentially be born at term, rather than preterm, each year.
The application of Gen AI in healthcare can contribute to achieving several critical goals:
- Addressing Unmet Medical Needs: By utilizing electronic medical records to expedite and synthesize patient histories, healthcare providers can improve clinical decision-making and connect patients with necessary care.
- Increasing Patient Adherence: AI-driven analysis of patient data can predict instances where patients may cease following care protocols. Healthcare providers can intervene by administering reminders and personalized dosing instructions, thereby enhancing patient adherence.
- Enhancing Signal Detection: Natural-language summarization facilitated by AI can aid in vigilance regarding medication use and adverse-event reports, particularly within specific patient communities.
- Providing Personal Assistance: On-demand virtual personal physicians or pharmacists equipped with patient data and medical history can serve as a primary point of contact, offering personalized support and guidance.
- Tailoring Outreach and Support: AI can analyze individual patient preferences to deliver bespoke outreach and support, ensuring that patients receive information and care through channels that resonate with them.
Moving Forward Together
It is imperative to prioritize equity and inclusion to ensure that all members of the workforce, including Black professionals, can harness the benefits of technological advancements. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, mentorship, and equitable access to opportunities, we can create a more inclusive future where every individual can realize their full potential, regardless of race or background.
Additionally, by leveraging Gen AI to address healthcare disparities, we can take significant strides towards achieving health equity for all, particularly for marginalized communities such as Black Americans. Through targeted interventions and inclusive approaches, we can work towards a future where every individual has access to high-quality, equitable healthcare.
