New Study Estimates AI's Economic Impact on Black America

WASHINGTON - EntSun -- Creative Investment Research, Inc. (CIR) premiered new research examining the economic impact of artificial intelligence on Black employment, wealth, business ownership and health at Black Money Matters VII, held September 17 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Economist William Michael Cunningham, founder of Creative Investment Research, presented the study during the seventh installment of the Black Money Matters program. The September 17 event, presented by the Financial Services Innovation Coalition and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) also featured Congressman Jonathan Jackson and other business, policy and community leaders.

Study Estimates Approximately $60 Billion in Annual Economic Risk

CIR's moderate scenario estimates approximately $61.8 billion in potential annual economic downside for the Black economy. The estimate consists of approximately:

• $51.4 billion in potential annual Black labor-income disruption,
• $10.4 billion in estimated Black-business impact.

The study also introduces a Black AI Wealth Index, designed to illustrate how existing differences in household wealth, equity ownership, business ownership and access to capital may influence who ultimately captures the economic gains generated by AI.

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A central finding is that AI rewards ownership as well as productivity. Workers may benefit from higher wages and greater efficiency, but households and businesses that own AI-related companies, intellectual property, proprietary data, technology infrastructure and financial assets are positioned to capture an additional share of the long-term wealth creation.

Next Presentation: TAAACC Annual Conference

Cunningham will next present the research on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. during the 38th Annual Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.

The conference runs September 23–25 and is built around the theme "A.I. → R.I.: Not Artificial Intelligence. Real Intelligence — for real Black business results." TAAACC's published agenda lists Cunningham, founder and CEO of Creative Investment Research, with TAAACC President and CEO Charles O'Neal during the 8:30 a.m. State of TAAACC session on September 24.

TAAACC represents the interests of more than 350,000 Black-owned businesses across Texas.

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"The next question is not whether AI will change the Black economy—it already is," Cunningham said. "The question is whether Black workers, entrepreneurs and investors will participate as owners and beneficiaries of the new economy, or primarily experience AI through displacement and higher competitive barriers."

The 2026 TAAACC Annual Conference will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Worth South, September 23–25.

2026 TAAACC Annual Conference and registration

View the 2019 Black Wealth / Congressional Black Caucus presentation