In The Community
Originally published in The Latino Newsletter–reprinted with permission.
Opinion for The Latino Newsletter
ATLANTA — The artificial intelligence revolution is already here, and Latinos are leading it. While corporate commitments to DEI quietly fade and policymakers roll back diversity initiatives, AI’s Latino leaders haven’t waited for permission. We’ve never needed corporate handouts to build, and we’ve never asked for a seat at the table. We just built our own.
From engineering breakthroughs to financial services transformation, we’re redefining AI’s impact on global markets. The conversation about Latinos in tech has been stuck in a cycle of diversity and inclusion.
This needs to stop.
It’s time to shift that narrative to ownership, influence, and industry-shaping power. AI’s future depends on who wields it, and Latinos are doing so with precision.
Latino leadership in AI is already undeniable. Marco Mascorro is transforming warehouse logistics with AI-driven robotics at Fellow AI. Daniela Braga is building the data backbone for AI language models at Defined.ai. Rafael Cosman, Founder and CEO of Protogon Research, is pushing the boundaries of AI toward superintelligence with models designed for a deep, true understanding of the world.
These aren’t just “diversity” stories. They are market-shifting forces redefining industries.
Never Outsiders
Despite these successes, the tech mainstream still frames Latinos as outsiders. That outdated perception ignores the reality that we are driving AI’s evolution. You might think AI is being shaped only in research labs, but that is not true. Problem-solvers with real-world experience are the ones making it happen. Latinos bring precisely that, applying AI to tangible, high-impact challenges across sectors.
What makes Latinos uniquely suited to lead in AI, particularly in applied AI, is a mindset forged by resilience, adaptability, and the ability to improvise when mainstream responses fail. Multilingual expertise allows us to bridge gaps between industries and markets, making AI more adaptable, scalable, and human-centered. Many of us have navigated historical high inflation and interest rates, developing an innate ability to live with less, optimize resources, and persevere in scarce environments. We have grown up connected to regions marked by political instability, honing an ability to operate in uncertainty, take action even when the future is unclear, and build solutions without predefined roadmaps.
Latinos are driving AI’s most relevant and beneficial applications. The ability to adapt, build from uncertainty, and solve problems outside traditional frameworks makes us central to AI’s future.
No More Bias
As it stands today, though, AI is deeply flawed. Bias infects its models. Accessibility is an afterthought. Trust is collapsing. And the people building it have never lived the experiences that AI is supposed to serve.
That’s why Latinos are shaping and fixing AI before it fails us all.
Investors who overlook Latino-led AI companies are missing out on some of the most innovative, high-growth businesses of the decade. Tech leaders who fail to elevate Latino AI talent at leadership levels are setting themselves up for failure. Policymakers who exclude Latino AI innovators from regulatory discussions are making a critical mistake in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Latinos contribute $3.6 trillion to the U.S. economy. If that were a country, it’d be the fifth largest in the world. Why wouldn’t we be at the center of AI’s future?
AI is moving fast, and so are Latinos. Our time is already here.
Investors, policymakers, and tech leaders have a choice: build with us or be left behind. Latinos in AI aren’t just the future.
We are the present.
And the present doesn’t wait.
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In 2025, the Lunar New Year festivities begin on January 29, marking the start of the Year of the Wood Snake. This year brings a special energy rooted in transformation, wisdom, and growth. The practice of feng shui instructs us how to direct the energies that come our way, and understanding the annual energies can provide clarity and direction.
Whether you celebrate with family traditions or just take inspiration from the themes of the Chinese zodiac, this is a powerful time to embrace change and align with your deepest goals.
The Snake, often misunderstood in Western traditions, is a revered symbol in Chinese culture. Known for its wisdom and ability to shed its skin, the Snake represents renewal and transformation. The Wood element of this year adds to that by representing creativity, adaptability, and personal growth, making 2025 the perfect time to pursue new opportunities and expand your horizons.
The Meaning Behind the Snake in Chinese Astrology
The Snake is seen as a creature of elegance, intuition, and strategy in Chinese culture. Its ability to shed its skin symbolizes transformation, an idea that influences the energy of 2025. If you’ve been feeling stuck or unsure of your next steps, the Year of the Wood Snake offers the perfect environment for change.
In Chinese astrology, people born in a Snake year are often described as intelligent, resourceful, and charming. They’re said to have a quiet strength, capable of navigating life’s challenges with grace and foresight. These qualities define the energy of 2025 from a Chinese astrology perspective, encouraging everyone to think carefully, act deliberately, and embrace opportunities for growth.
Lunar New Year: What 2025 Will Bring
The Chinese horoscope establishes 2025 as a year of transformation and growth, both on personal and collective levels. The Snake’s energy inspires strategic thinking, making it a time to plan carefully and move forward with confidence. If you’ve been working hard in your career, 2025 could bring long-awaited breakthroughs. Many may see opportunities for financial growth as well, but it’s important to remain patient and avoid impulsive decisions.
The introspective nature of the Snake also encourages spiritual development. You might find yourself drawn to activities like meditation, journaling, or spending quiet time in nature. These practices can help you connect with your inner wisdom and navigate the year’s challenges with clarity and purpose.
However, not every sign will experience the Year of the Snake in the same way. For some, this will be a time of great fortune, while others may need to approach the year with extra caution and resilience. It’s forecasted that those born in the year of the Tiger will face the most significant challenges, with potential setbacks in various areas of life, while the Snake, as the ruling sign of the year, is expected to have the most favorable experiences overall, with opportunities for growth and transformation.
Making the Most of the Snake’s Energy
While each sign will have their own unique energies to navigate, overall, the Year of the Wood Snake is favorable if approached correctly. The Wood Snake energy isn’t about rushing toward your goals or forcing outcomes. Instead, it’s about aligning with your inner wisdom and trusting the process. Just as the Snake moves deliberately, so should we. This is a year to shed old habits, embrace new opportunities, and approach life with patience and intention.
Transformation takes time, but it also takes courage. If there are parts of your life that no longer serve you—whether it’s a job, a relationship, or even a mindset—this might be the year to let them go. In their place, Chinese astrology encourages people to create space for something new and trust that the changes they make now will set the foundation for future growth.
At the same time, it encourages us to think strategically. Rather than diving into decisions headfirst, take the time to reflect, research, and plan. Whether you’re pursuing a new career path, starting a creative project, or deepening your relationships, careful preparation will ensure lasting success.
Spiritual growth is another key theme of this Lunar New Year. The Snake’s introspective nature is an invitation to slow down and connect with ourselves on a deeper level. Activities like mindfulness, yoga, or simply taking quiet moments to reflect can help you tune into your intuition and make decisions that truly align with your values.
2025: A Time of Renewal and Growth
Lunar New Year is often celebrated with joy and gratitude, and it’s no different this year. The traditions that define the Lunar New Year are all reminders of renewal and the importance of community. In many households, elders pass down red envelopes filled with money to younger generations, symbolizing blessings for the year ahead.
For those who don’t celebrate Lunar New Year traditionally, there’s still much to learn and embrace from the themes of the Wood Snake. This is a year to reflect on your growth, honor your resilience, and move forward with intention. Even small changes can lead to profound transformations, just as a snake sheds its skin to grow stronger.
The Year of the Wood Snake reminds us that transformation isn’t always dramatic. Instead, it can be subtle, quiet, and deeply personal. It’s about trusting the process, honoring your intuition, and moving through life with grace and purpose. Whether you’re starting a new chapter, deepening existing commitments, or simply seeking clarity, this year offers the perfect opportunity to align with your true self and embrace the possibilities ahead.
As you step into the Year of the Snake, take a moment to reflect on what you want to leave behind and what you’re ready to embrace. Transformation, after all, begins with a single, intentional step.
When we talk about intuition, it’s often described as a “gut feeling,” an unshakable sense of knowing that nudges us toward a particular decision. For Latinas, this feeling carries profound significance, rooted not only in personal experience but also in cultural and ancestral wisdom. Intuition isn’t just an abstract concept; it’s a powerful tool that can transform how we navigate decisions in our personal and professional lives.
What’s remarkable about intuition is how much science backs it up. Far from being a mystical force, intuition is a sophisticated process grounded in our brain’s ability to recognize patterns, recall experiences, and process information, often without us even realizing it.
What Is Intuition, Really?
Intuition is best understood as our brain’s rapid, unconscious ability to synthesize information and experiences. According to research on cognitive psychology, when we encounter a situation, our brain compares it to patterns we’ve seen before, drawing on years of lived knowledge stored in our subconscious. This is why a decision that feels “intuitive” often happens in seconds; it’s our subconscious doing the heavy lifting.
For Latinas, this process is further informed by cultural and generational wisdom. Growing up in households where resilience and resourcefulness were modeled daily means many of us have an intuition shaped by watching our parents and grandparents navigate life’s challenges. Whether it’s the knack for knowing when someone’s intentions aren’t pure or the creative solutions we come up with on the fly, our intuition carries the weight of lived experiences.
Contrary to popular belief, intuition isn’t the opposite of rationality. Research shows that intuition complements analytical thinking, offering insights that logical processes might overlook. This is especially true in situations of uncertainty, where intuition can cut through the noise and help us focus on what matters most.
The Role of Intuition in Our Decisions
Intuition plays a pivotal role in decision-making, especially when we’re navigating complex or fast-moving situations. It allows us to make quick but informed choices, drawing from the treasure chest of knowledge and experience we’ve accumulated in our lives.
Take, for example, the workplace. For many Latina professionals, intuition helps manage the delicate balance between asserting ourselves and navigating microaggressions or biases. It’s that subtle sense that tells us when to speak up, when to pause, and when to pivot strategies. This ability is equally useful in personal settings. Whether it’s deciding to pursue a new relationship, make a financial investment, or choose a school for the kids, intuition often provides clarity when the logical pros and cons seem to be tied.
Research, like the Recognition-Primed Decision (RPD) model developed by Gary Klein, explains how experts use intuition to make effective choices under pressure. The model shows that intuition is particularly useful when time is limited or when dealing with complex, ambiguous problems. Your intuition isn’t guesswork, it’s pattern recognition at lightning speed. Leveraging it, along with research and quality information, will allow you to make the best possible decisions for yourself.
How to Strengthen Your Intuition
Some people seem naturally intuitive, but the truth is that intuition is a skill you can develop with practice. If you want to do that work, start by expanding your knowledge base. The more you learn and experience, the sharper your intuition will become. This is especially true in areas like finance, leadership, or relationships, where exposure to different scenarios can help you recognize patterns more effectively.
Mindfulness is another powerful way to hone your intuition. Practices like meditation or simply sitting still can help you tune into your thoughts and feelings. When you’re mindful, you can distinguish between true intuition and the influence of fear, anxiety, or other emotions.
Physical cues are equally important. Pay attention to how your body responds in decision-making situations. Do you feel tension or unease? These signals often carry intuitive insights. For example, a fluttering in your stomach could indicate excitement about a new opportunity, while a sinking feeling could mean hesitation or risk.
Needless to say, reflection helps refine intuition over time. After making decisions, take a moment to analyze the outcomes. Did your intuition guide you well? If not, what might have influenced your judgment? This feedback loop will strengthen your ability to tell between intuitive from cognitive bias.
The Art of Balancing Intuition with Analysis
While intuition can be a powerful tool, it’s not infallible. Cognitive biases and strong emotions can sometimes cloud our judgment, making it essential to balance intuition with analytical thinking. One effective strategy is to use intuition as a starting point. If your gut feeling points you in a certain direction, back it up by gathering data and seeking other perspectives. This approach ensures that your decision is well-rounded and not overly reliant on a single factor.
For example, let’s say your intuition tells you to accept a job offer that feels like a perfect fit. Before saying yes, take the time to research the company, ask questions during the interview process, and consult with mentors or friends who can provide additional insights. Remember, intuition is a tool in your arsenal, not a replacement for critical thinking and data. They all go hand in hand.
Why Intuition is a Latina Superpower
For Latinas, intuition isn’t just about decision-making, it’s also about reclaiming our power in a world that often undervalues our voices. It’s the wisdom of abuelas passed down through generations, the lessons learned from navigating systemic barriers, and the resilience born of community and culture.
When we honor our intuition, we honor the knowledge and experiences that have shaped us. We affirm our ability to make decisions that align with our values and aspirations, even in the face of doubt or opposition.
So the next time you feel that nudge, that gut feeling, don’t dismiss it. Lean into it. Let it guide you, support you, and remind you of the power that’s already within. As you strengthen this skill, you’ll find that intuition is not just a tool but a bridge to a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.
