AI4ALL and AI for All Tomorrows Secures $300K Grant to Empower Youth in AI Storytelling Initiative
In a significant development for youth engagement in technology, AI4ALL and AI for All Tomorrows have received a substantial grant of $300,000 from the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. This funding will support the launch of “[DEFINE]: Our AI Futures,” a groundbreaking initiative designed to uplift youth voices regarding the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on their lives and communities.
Over the next year, the initiative aims to collect over 100 youth-generated videos from participants across the United States, showcasing their experiences with AI and articulating their visions for its future. This comprehensive storytelling effort will culminate in a public digital archive and a documentary featuring prominent youth leaders discussing pressing AI issues, including its impacts on mental health, climate change, and education.
Bo Young Lee, CEO of AI4ALL, emphasized the importance of integrating youth perspectives in technology discussions: “As AI rapidly transforms society, we cannot build a responsible technological future without the voices and leadership of the young people who will inherit its consequences.” This sentiment is echoed by Dylan Thomas Doyle, Executive Director of AI for All Tomorrows, who highlighted the absence of historically excluded youth from vital conversations shaping AI’s trajectory.
The initiative particularly seeks to engage young creators aged 18 to 24 from diverse backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/e, Asian American, and LGBTQ+ youth, as well as those from rural, immigrant, and low-income communities. By centering their experiences, “[DEFINE]: Our AI Futures” aspires to foster a broader understanding of AI’s societal implications and drive meaningful dialogue among industry leaders and policymakers.
The program will not only enhance AI literacy through creative expression but also aim to translate these youth narratives into actionable insights for decision-makers within the technology sector. By contributing their unique stories, these young individuals will play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI governance and ensuring that their realities inform technological advancements.
For more information on AI4ALL and the “[DEFINE]: Our AI Futures” initiative, visit https://ai-4-all.org/.
