Author: Morola SOLAR

I recently took some  time to read Being Black in AI: Evidence, Trends, and Policy Futures at the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and African, Caribbean, and Black Communities in Canada by the CanAfro Research Institute and wow…

First of all, 41 pages of volunteer-driven, unfunded research? That alone deserves recognition. But what truly stood out to me was how thorough and intentional the work is. This isn’t a surface-level diversity conversation. It’s a deeply researched, policy-focused study that brings together labour market data, education statistics, venture capital analysis, and even research on algorithmic bias.

You can tell the authors took their time. Everything is clearly explained and well elaborated; the data, the trends, the policy gaps. It’s rigorous but still readable.

What the Report Actually Shows

The report looks at how African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities are positioned within Canada’s AI ecosystem. From education pipelines to tech jobs to leadership roles.

Some of the findings are hard but important:

• Black Canadians make up about 4.3% of the population, yet represent a much smaller percentage in tech and even fewer in AI leadership. 
• There’s significant attrition from undergraduate programs to PhD levels in AI-related fields. 
• Wage gaps persist in tech roles. 
• Less than 1% of venture capital funding goes to Black-founded startups. 
• And because Canada lacks consistent race-disaggregated data, many inequities remain hidden in what the report calls a “data silence.” 

But what I appreciated most is that the report doesn’t just diagnose the problem. It outlines clear policy recommendations  from equity impact assessments in AI systems to inclusive governance structures and investments in Black-led innovation.

It makes one thing very clear: equitable inclusion in AI isn’t optional. It’s necessary for innovation, accountability, and Canada’s economic future.

Why This Matters for Us

AI is already shaping hiring, healthcare, public services, and access to opportunity. If we are not in the rooms designing and governing these systems, we risk being disproportionately impacted by them.

This report gives evidence to realities many in our communities have felt for years. It validates lived experience with data. It connects equity to policy. And it reminds us that we are not just participants in the digital economy, we should be leaders in it.

I truly commend the authors for the extensive research, the clarity of analysis, and the commitment it took to produce this work without institutional funding. That speaks volumes!

If you haven’t read Being Black in AI yet, I genuinely encourage you to check it out. It’s an important, well-researched resource for community members, students, policymakers, and anyone who cares about the future of technology in Canada.

Go read it. Reflect on it. Share it.

Because the future of AI should include us- fully and intentionally.