aiEDU’s ambitious new Rural & Indigenous Community Catalyst Program empowers local communities to build readiness wherever children grow up.
The AI Education Project (aiEDU) on Monday, Aug. 11 announced an ambitious new program designed to catalyze AI literacy and AI Readiness efforts in rural and indigenous communities across the U.S., from Hawaii to Oklahoma to Kentucky.
aiEDU’s Rural & Indigenous Community Catalyst Program invests directly in communities across 14 states, partnering to build AI literacy and AI Readiness in underserved communities across the country. The program includes unique partnership opportunities, infrastructure support and more than $1 million in project-based grants to local nonprofits, tribal education departments, and educational service organizations across 14 states.
The program builds on aiEDU’s efforts to build capacity at a local level, ensuring that students can live, work and thrive in a world where AI is everywhere no matter where they’re growing up. As part of this vision, aiEDU aims to create a sustainable model that other communities can replicate nationwide.
“AI is rapidly transforming the world, shaping jobs, education, and daily life. Yet, many rural and Indigenous communities lack access to AI literacy programs that can equip them with the skills needed to thrive,” said Alex Kotran, co-founder and CEO of aiEDU. “Through this program, we’re closing that gap by funding projects that support teacher professional development, develop locally relevant AI curriculum, and create inclusive conversations that bring families and communities into the fold. aiEDU believes these locally led initiatives will help bridge the digital divide while respecting cultural values.”
Unlike top-down models of educational change, aiEDU’s Catalyst Program centers community-led innovation. Each grantee brings deep, place-based knowledge of the learners they serve — and is already working to equip them for the future. The program is designed to scale their efforts and build a national model for community-first AI Readiness.
They include projects like one from the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation, which will equip more than 30 teachers with cutting edge AI training. “This funding empowers our rural educators to lead with confidence in an AI-drive future,” said Nancy Hutchinson, CEO of the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation, one of the new partners and grantees.
Another project, from the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly will help integrate AI literacy and AI Readiness across Tribal Nations. “This opportunity strengthens our ongoing commitment to education sovereignty by integrating emerging technologies with Indigenous knowledge systems and values,” said Kim Stewart Ruhman, Associate Director of TEDNA.
All of the programs build on aiEDU’s broader commitment to AI literacy and AI Readiness. Through curriculum, training, policy, and partnerships, aiEDU has reached over 230,000 students in all 50 states and is actively working with school systems in New York, Ohio, Colorado, Hawaiʻi, and beyond.
Full Summary 2025 Catalyst Program Grantees and Project Summaries
- Capital Region ESD 113 (WA): Serving five rural counties and one Tribal Compact School, ESD 113 will deliver targeted professional learning, community feedback integration, and district-level AI policy development to support AI Readiness across the region.
- CAST, Inc. (MT): Partnering with Boys and Girls Clubs in Montana, CAST will deliver statewide educator workshops, launch a virtual professional learning community, and co-create an “AI Playbook” to guide inclusive afterschool instruction.
- Central Indiana Educational Service Center (IN): This initiative will support rural district leaders and educators with strategic coaching and sustained implementation of AI integration plans using CIESC’s District AI Strategic Planning Framework.
- CESA 4 (WI): The LIFToFFS initiative blends AI with social-emotional learning and inquiry-based instruction to develop future-ready classrooms and equip rural educators and students with the tools to thrive in an AI-powered society.
- East Central ESC of Indiana (IN): Will lead regional convenings and help guide AI policy and planning support for rural districts in Indiana.
- IndigiGenius (Makah & Lakota): A Native-led nonprofit advancing Indigenous sovereignty in AI education, IndigiGenius will co-design AI literacy strategies that are community-informed and culturally grounded.
- Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KY): Serving 80 rural and Appalachian districts, KEDC will provide hands-on AI training, peer networks, and educator-led implementation strategies to boost workforce readiness.
- Krause Center for Innovation (CA): Combining asynchronous AI courses with live professional learning, this program will serve educators across California through deep learning and community engagement focused on local AI literacy needs.
- Mendocino County Office of Education (CA): This pilot will create a Community of Practice to co-develop ethical and equitable AI integration tools for rural educators across Mendocino County.
- NCW Tech Alliance (WA): Through summits, a skills challenge, and an “AI in Action” series, this initiative will train educators and students from five rural counties in North Central Washington.
- Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe (WA): Hosting intergenerational workshops and hands-on AI events, this project will center Native family literacy and local applications of AI for cultural and educational empowerment.
- Red Wing Public Schools (MN): Red Wing educators will lead AI integration efforts that combine foundational training with culturally relevant lesson design.
- Montana Afterschool Alliance & School Services of Montana (MT): This statewide initiative will foster AI literacy across Montana’s rural and Indigenous communities through local convenings and professional learning sessions.
- The Rural Alliance (WA): Focused on superintendent leadership, this project will equip rural districts with policy tools and training to scale responsible and equitable AI adoption.
- West Sound STEM Network (WA): Four regional STEM networks will partner to expand AI education through professional development, community engagement, and cross-regional collaboration.
- Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA, OK): The “AI Sovereignty” initiative will build intertribal PLCs and co-create a Tribal AI Readiness Playbook to support sovereign, culturally aligned curriculum development.
- Ulu Lāhui Foundation (HI): ULF will co-create AI curricula with Native Hawaiian educators, offering professional development in both English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and expanding culturally grounded AI education statewide.
- Youcubed at Stanford University (CA): Partnering with the Yukon Koyukuk School District, this initiative will integrate community-based data science and ecological inquiry into AI Readiness learning experiences for rural and Indigenous students.
Discover the latest trends and insights—explore the Business Insights Journal for up-to-date strategies and industry breakthroughs!
