A comprehensive 3-year strategy to reach underserved talent across America, empowering the "underdog" 60% with AI skills and opportunities beyond traditional tech hubs.
The White House's April 2025 initiative on AI education calls for "wide geographic adoption" of AI and highlights the need to reach youth across all regions. Our Academy directly responds to this call by focusing on empowering "underdog" talent.
Our Academy will focus on empowering "underdog" talent – the solid middle 60% of Americans with potential in AI, often far from traditional tech hubs. These may be young people working everyday jobs (even at a local subway shop) who, with the right exposure and training, can become innovative AI problem-solvers.
Our plan emphasizes early exposure, community-based learning, and partnership-driven events to demystify AI and build skills in underserved areas. By prioritizing underrepresented states and regions, we align with the national strategy to foster AI literacy everywhere, not just in elite institutions.
Intentionally targeting regions beyond Silicon Valley and the Ivy League circuit – focusing on rural communities, small towns, and underserved states with capable youth but limited opportunities.
Research shows that given a chance, individuals with no tech background can be upskilled into tech roles. The next AI whiz could be anywhere.
Example: Provalus in North Carolina offers 4–10 week IT trainings open to anyone (no prior experience required) and has successfully transitioned locals into tech jobs.
Each event will involve local educators, civic leaders, and businesses. We will host community AI summits where parents, teachers, and students jointly explore local AI solutions.
Example: A farming town might brainstorm AI for crop management, or a coal community might discuss AI in energy transition.
Coordinate with state departments and rural districts, leverage USDA's 4-H clubs and Cooperative Extension networks
Partner for AI workshops and certificate programs accessible to first-generation and adult learners
Tech companies and AI nonprofits co-sponsor events, provide mentorship, donate resources and computing credits
Create AI apprenticeship pathways, connect to internships and job opportunities using new AI skills
Starting with awareness and training, building foundation in diverse underrepresented regions
Launch our first pilot in rural Mississippi, capitalizing on the state's active push in AI education. Week-long bootcamp introducing high school and community college students to practical AI skills.
Two-day summit in Appalachian Ohio to train K-12 teachers and school leaders on integrating AI into curricula, addressing the educator training gap in rural areas.
Series of one-day pop-up events across Gulf Coast states to reach communities with high minority and low-income populations. Collaboration with local libraries, community centers, and HBCUs.
Multi-state summer camp for selected talented youth from Year 1 regions. 2-week intensive camp with mentorship to develop AI projects addressing real-world community problems.
Building on Year 1 success with expanded geographic reach and deeper programs
Expansion into Midwest farming and manufacturing belt with events in Iowa and Nebraska, emphasizing AI applications in agriculture and manufacturing.
Initiative in Arizona and New Mexico focusing on Indigenous populations and rural communities, with culturally relevant AI applications and tribal education partnerships.
National fair reuniting participants from all engaged states, featuring project showcases, networking, and career pathway opportunities with federal support integration.
Transitioning from events to continuous development programs and self-sustaining local initiatives
Establish permanent AI Apprenticeship Hubs in 3 strategic locations, connecting program graduates with on-the-job training opportunities.
Partner with local companies for data analytics apprenticeships, turning retail workers into junior data scientists
Focus on agricultural AI apprenticeships with John Deere and ag-tech startups
Timeline: Q4 2027 launch, continuing indefinitely
Expand to additional underserved states while encouraging local chapters to form self-sustaining AI learning communities.
Goal: 15+ states with Academy-facilitated events by end 2027
Measuring success through individual transformation stories and nationwide talent network development
States Reached
Participants Trained
Community Events
Apprenticeship Hubs
Building an AI-ready workforce that truly represents the breadth of America
Over the next 2–3 years, this plan will take our Academy on a journey from the Mississippi Delta to the Navajo Nation; from Midwest farms to Appalachian hills. Each step is about finding the hidden AI talent in America's vast, diverse landscape and giving it room to grow.
By aligning closely with the White House initiative, we'll leverage new funding streams and public-private partnerships as they emerge, ensuring our efforts have maximal support. Every event will also be an opportunity to gather data and feedback, which we'll use to refine later programs.
"Talent is everywhere; with intentional outreach and education, a former 'underdog' can become a leading AI innovator."