If AI Becomes the Next Wealth Engine, Black Entrepreneurs Risk Being Locked Out of the System

Artificial intelligence is expected to reshape how businesses grow, compete, and generate wealth, but new research suggests those gains may not be evenly shared. Concerns are growing that without early access and participation, existing economic gaps could deepen rather than shrink.

A policy brief from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies outlines both the opportunity and the risk, according to the Amsterdam News, warning that Black entrepreneurs face structural barriers that could limit their role in the emerging AI economy. The report focuses on how gaps in policy, funding, and access could shape who benefits from this next phase of technological growth.

Projections cited in the analysis show AI could generate significant household wealth by 2045, but historical patterns raise concerns about how that wealth will be distributed. Black households have traditionally received a smaller share of new wealth creation in the U.S., and researchers warn that trend could continue if access to AI tools and opportunities remains uneven.

The report identifies several barriers that could limit participation, including gaps in training, infrastructure, capital, and representation. Many AI education programs are geared toward engineers rather than small business owners, while limited access to high-speed internet and computing power continues to affect who can fully engage with the technology.

Access to capital remains another challenge, with Black-founded startups receiving a small share of venture funding compared to the broader market. Without investment, scaling businesses within an AI-driven economy becomes significantly more difficult, reinforcing existing disparities.

Researchers also point to representation gaps in policymaking, where decisions about how AI systems are built and regulated often do not include voices from communities most affected by those outcomes. That absence can shape how the technology evolves and who ultimately benefits from it.

Despite those concerns, the report also highlights potential upside if barriers are addressed early. AI tools are already being used by some Black entrepreneurs to automate operations, reach new customers, and improve efficiency, suggesting the technology can serve as a multiplier when access is available.

The broader question raised by the report centers on whether AI will reinforce existing inequalities or create new pathways for economic mobility. That outcome will depend largely on decisions made now by policymakers, industry leaders, and community organizations.

Efforts to close those gaps may include expanding training programs tailored to small businesses, improving access to digital infrastructure, and creating more equitable funding pathways. The report frames these steps as necessary to ensure the benefits of AI are not concentrated among a limited group.

Momentum around artificial intelligence continues to grow, and with it, the stakes around who participates in that growth. The findings suggest that without targeted action, the technology could widen disparities that have existed for generations rather than helping close them.