aiEDU Rural & Indigenous Community Catalyst Program

The future of AI readiness isn’t something that can be changed from the top down.
It must be built from the ground up.

AI readiness starts with communities

The most impactful solutions for AI readiness don’t come from a single organization — they emerge from communities themselves.

Across rural and Indigenous communities, local educators and nonprofit leaders are already taking bold steps to ensure that their students, families, and schools are prepared for an AI-powered world. These local champions understand their communities’ strengths, challenges, and opportunities far better than anyone else.

At aiEDU, we believe that real, lasting change happens when communities lead the way. That’s why we’ve launched the aiEDU Rural & Indigenous Community Catalyst Program — not to “bring AI readiness” to these communities, but to invest in and amplify the work that’s already happening in them.

Through the Community Catalyst Program, aiEDU provides local organizations with the resources and capacity they need to scale their efforts in improving AI readiness, teacher empowerment, and systemic innovation.

The aiEDU Rural & Indigenous Community Catalyst Program is a grant initiative dedicated to expanding AI literacy and readiness in historically under-served communities.

The program provides funding to local nonprofits and grassroots organizations who are working to empower rural and Indigenous communities through AI Readiness.

With support from Google.org, aiEDU backs several project-based grants to organizations who are committed to fostering AI literacy, professional learning, student engagement, and policy development.

Our goal: Ensure that all students, educators, and communities are prepared for an AI-powered future, regardless of geography or access to resources.

Overview

Why does this matter?

AI is rapidly transforming the world by reshaping jobs, education, and daily life. But many rural and Indigenous communities still lack access to AI literacy programs that can equip them with the skills needed to thrive.

Through the Community Catalyst Program, we’re aiming to close that gap by funding projects that:

  • Support educators with professional learning and learning communities on AI readiness.

  • Develop AI literacy curricula tailored for rural and Indigenous students.

  • Host community convenings to foster collaboration and advocacy.

  • Include parents and communities in conversations of what AI is and how it’s changing the way we’ll live, work, and thrive in the future.