On November 6, 2025, New York Assemblymember Emérita Torres (Assembly District 85) convened “Reclaiming the Algorithm: Community Power in Data and AI,” at the Somos 2025 Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Panelists included Dr. Kara Emery, Director of Data Science at the NYU McSilver AI Hub; Chris Hemphill, NYU McSilver Fellow; Wayne Ho, CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council; Dr. Olivia Ildefonso, CEO of North Arrow; Wesner Pierre, CEO of Partnership with Children; Claudia Soriano, Senior Director of Development and External Affairs at The Knowledge House; and Andre White, CEO of Phipps Neighborhoods.
Data fuels everything from health systems to hiring practices, but too often, data systems and AI builders lack input from Latino communities. This leads to misrepresentation and harm in hiring, healthcare, and other needs. This panel shined a light on a bold vision for community-led data sovereignty, featuring nonprofits that create custom datasets and tools to tell their own stories, alongside AI experts and advocates working to ensure that algorithms and AI policies center Latino voices. Together, panelists discussed how community control of data can drive equity and empower Latino communities.