Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Publishes New Report on AI’s Impact on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) released findings from qualitative research outlining how members of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community view and interact with artificial intelligence (AI): From Translations to Chatbots: AANHPI Community Perspectives on the Impact and Governance of Artificial Intelligence.
AI has quickly become a mainstay in our society and grown into an industry worth billions of dollars. The technology has been praised for its potential – but has also come with critiques and warnings about the risks of irresponsible AI usage. But for AANHPI communities, the rapid adoption of AI coincides with the ongoing digital divide, which keeps many from being able to responsibly use this new technology – and thereby prevent them from being able to shape the opportunities and outcomes of a technology that is already transforming our economic, social and civil lives. And despite heavy representation of the AANHPI community in the tech industry, disparities in language access, immigration status, income and more exclude the AANHPI members most vulnerable to algorithmic harms and bias.
Advancing Justice – AAJC convened 65 individuals representing various AANHPI backgrounds across the country to better understand how AI impacts their lives. These listening sessions took place from April to November 2025, and participants were able to share their observations about AI’s integration into society in small and large-group discussions. Discussion facilitators found that:
- AI is pervasive in AANHPI communities, yet many individuals lack clarity on exactly where and how it affects them.
- Job opportunities, especially those accessible to individuals who have limited English skill, are being reshaped by AI in the workplace.
- AI-powered misinformation erodes trust and limits AANHPI community members’ ability to access critical resources.
- The psychosocial impacts of AI chatbot use vary widely by age groups and can erode intergenerational relationships.
- AANHPI community members want transparency, control, and accountability in the use of their data.
- AANHPI community priorities are not adequately represented in AI governance.
“AI is one of the most rapidly adopted technologies in history, and we are already seeing the ways in which it is reshaping our lives. The fullextent of both the potential and harms of AI are still being understood and there is insufficient information about how it affects marginalized communities – especially Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders,” said Lia Nitake, Senior Director of Technology, Telecommunications and Media Policy at Advancing Justice – AAJC. “This report helps get us closer to understanding how AI manifests in our communities and how to ensure that they are being equitably represented in AI governance. We hope that it can be a guide for policymakers, community leaders and investors in their decisions regarding AI integration, regulations and technology improvements.”
As AI usage and applications continues to grow, we must ensure that emerging technologies represent our communities accurately, and that no one is left behind.
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