Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping society, but with its transformative power comes pressing ethical, cultural, and social questions. The conversation around AI often centers on new capabilities, but equally important are the implications for equity, transparency, and human values.

A key concern is the concentration of AI development in a handful of industries, particularly technology and finance, which risks creating tools that benefit only a narrow segment of society. When innovation prioritizes speed and competition, the so-called “AI race” can result in systems being released prematurely, riddled with bias, or inaccessible to much of the global population.

Language representation in AI models is another critical issue. Many large language models are predominantly trained in English, resulting in the underrepresentation of other languages and cultural perspectives. This imbalance not only limits accessibility but also reduces the quality of AIoutputs. Advocates stress that LLMs trained on multicultural data lead to better, more representative systems, onescapable of reflecting the world’s diversity rather than reinforcing existing biases and stereotypes.

Still, the potential for AI to drive positive impact is significant. From creating accessible tools for immigrants navigating new systems to providing voice-based digital companionsfor older adults, socially conscious applications of AI can foster inclusion and improve quality of life.

On this episode of The New Mainstream podcast, Norman Valdez, CEO of BrainTrainr, discusses the urgency of developing responsible AI and highlights both the dangers ofexclusion and the opportunities for technology to serve as a force for good.

Money habits aren’t formed in a vacuum. They’re shaped by the crises we live through, the culture we’re raised in, andthe tools we trust to manage our future. Today’s financial landscape is being redefined by generational shifts, cultural influences, and emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, each impacting how people save, spend, and invest.

Gen Z is proving to be more disciplined and frugal than Millennials, driven by the economic crises they’ve witnessed in their households and their determination to avoid the same pitfalls. They’re saving earlier, budgeting more carefully, and leaning on side hustles to build financial security. Millennials, however, often lean toward spending on experiences, despite having endured many of the same economic setbacks. These differences highlight howcontext and culture influence money decisions in ways that numbers alone can’t explain.

Race and ethnicity also significantly influence financial priorities and levels of trust in financial institutions.Disparities in homeownership, retirement readiness, and perceptions of financial health remain stark, underscoring the need for inclusive financial education and culturally relevant outreach. Providing access alone falls short of creating solutions that meet people where they are.

And while technology is reshaping the landscape, trust remains a hurdle. Many consumers are open to using AI forsimple financial tasks, but skepticism grows when higher stakes are involved. The key is balance. Pair AI with human oversight, clear guardrails, and transparent communication to build confidence across generations.

On this episode of The New Mainstream podcast, Aijaz Hussain Shaik, Senior Director of Thought Leadership & Research at Empower, unpacks how generational shifts, cultural influences, and technology are redefining financial behavior and what it takes to create more inclusive financialsystems.

Veterans are undoubtedly our nation’s heroes. They bring with them a set of skills honed through years of service, skills that, if clearly communicated, can achieve the same success in business that they achieved on missions. The key to transferring these skills to civilian roles is breakingdown what was done in a military context into terms that show hiring managers how those capabilities can drive results for a company.

Yet too often, employers overlook or diminish this value. Without awareness, unconscious bias and outdated stereotypes can pigeonhole veterans into narrowroles. The reality is that the discipline, strategic execution, and situational awareness cultivated in service are exactly what organizations need to navigate the complexity of the marketplace and rally teams toward common goals.Employers who are intentional about being inclusive and who make the effort to understand these skills gain access to a high-performing, job ready talent pool.

Community-building within organizations amplifies that impact. Veterans’ networks, for example, offer mentorship and onboarding support from the start of the hiring process.Once hired, employee resource groups provide safe spaces that foster belonging, educate allies, and dismantle biases, ultimately creating an inclusive workplace culture. Even smaller companies can take meaningful steps by partnering with local veteran groups to source talent or provide job training.

In this episode of The New Mainstream podcast, Ari Friedman, Talent Development Manager, Global Early Careers at Microsoft, offers strategies for translating military skills into business impact and creating workplaces where veterans can thrive, benefiting both talent and employers alike.