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Applied AI Education Initiative

Advisory & Program Development Proposal​

Date: November 21, 2025 Prepared for: Schwartz Foundation / Open Doors Nonprofit Prepared by: Gary Sheng Term: Quarterly (Initial 3-month trial period)

Executive Summary​

This proposal outlines a strategic advisory and program development role focused on launching Applied AI education initiatives for underserved youth communities. Building on the proven models of civic engagement and youth agency from my previous work with Civics Unplugged and Dream DAO, this initiative represents a natural evolution - empowering young people to leverage AI technologies as tools for civic improvement and personal agency, rather than viewing them as existential threats to their futures.

Scope of Services​

1. Strategic Advisory Services​

  • Foundation Project Advisor: Provide strategic guidance across all foundation initiatives
  • Network Development: Connect foundation with relevant advisors and partners (e.g., Ari Crane and other strategic contacts)
  • Regular Consultation: Available for phone consultations and regular check-in meetings with foundation leadership
  • Cross-Project Support: Advise on vinyl library, DAO reformation, and other foundation initiatives as needed

2. Applied AI Education Program Leadership​

Primary Initiative: Youth Empowerment Through Applied AI​

  • Design and launch pilot programs teaching how to apply AI in genuinely useful ways to young people
  • Focus on civic technology: Help students identify and solve real problems in their communities
  • Create scalable curriculum that bridges technology, civics, and community service

POTENTIAL Initial Pilot: St. Teresa Catholic Parish, Austin, Texas​

  • Partnership Development: Leverage existing relationship with tech-savvy board member
  • Curriculum Design: Develop innovative Applied AI curriculum with civic engagement focus
  • Faith-Integrated Context: Respectfully integrate program within parish educational framework
  • Metrics & Evaluation: Establish success metrics and assessment framework

3. Program Development Framework​

Educational Philosophy​

  • Teaching AI as an "Iron Man suit" - empowerment tool rather than replacement threat
  • Focus on solving real, local problems identified by students themselves
  • Building sense of ownership over community civic systems
  • Creating verifiable improvements with demonstrable impact

Implementation Strategy​

  1. Multi-session program (not just one-off events) fostering sustained engagement
  2. Student ownership model where participants drive project selection
  3. Gamification elements to incentivize civic improvement projects
  4. Small budget allocation from partner institutions for "skin in the game"
  5. Documentation & scaling of successful experiments for replication

Deliverables​

Quarter 1 (Months 1-3)​

  • Comprehensive program design for Applied AI civic education curriculum
  • Partnership agreement with St. Teresa Catholic Parish or equivalent pilot site
  • Launch of initial pilot program with ~5-10 students
  • Weekly progress reports to foundation leadership

Ongoing​

  • Program refinement based on pilot feedback
  • Development of replication framework for additional sites
  • Regular advisory support for all foundation projects
  • Quarterly impact assessment and strategic recommendations

Investment & Structure​

Compensation​

  • Quarterly Retainer: $18,000 (paid at beginning of quarter)
  • Payment Schedule: Full quarterly payment upon agreement signing
  • Trial Period: Initial 3-month term with option for renewal based on mutual agreement

Operational Support​

  • Program expenses (materials, venue, technology) funded separately through nonprofit entity
  • Travel and documented expenses reimbursed with prior approval
  • Access to foundation resources and network for program development

Success Metrics​

Quantitative​

  • Number of students engaged in pilot programs
  • Civic improvement projects initiated and completed
  • Partner institutions secured for program expansion
  • Strategic connections made to foundation

Qualitative​

  • Student testimonials demonstrating increased agency and hope
  • Community impact from student-led improvements
  • Partner institution satisfaction and commitment to continuation
  • Foundation leadership satisfaction with advisory support

Why This Matters​

The male despair crisis and technological displacement anxiety are creating a generation without hope. This initiative addresses these challenges by:

  • Providing practical skills for the AI-driven economy
  • Restoring sense of agency through civic engagement
  • Creating pathways for meaningful contribution to community
  • Building bridges between traditional institutions (schools, churches) and emerging technologies

Next Steps​

  1. Review and Discussion: Foundation leadership reviews proposal
  2. Alignment Meeting: Call with Noah Schwartz to finalize scope and expectations
  3. Agreement Formalization: Convert to consulting services agreement if approved
  4. Program Launch: Begin St. Teresa partnership discussions and curriculum development
  5. Foundation Integration: Immediate availability for advisory support across all projects

About Gary Sheng​

Former Google engineer and founder of Civics Unplugged and Dream DAO with extensive experience in:

  • Civics Unplugged: Founded youth civic engagement platform reaching thousands of students globally
  • Dream DAO: Created web3-native youth organization exploring decentralized governance and digital citizenship
  • Gauntlet AI Program: Currently cooking up AI education and implementation initiatives
  • Strategic advisory to billion-dollar organizations and faith institutions
  • Community building and network development across technology and policy sectors

Vision: Empower many young people to see technology as a tool for community improvement and personal agency. This builds on the civic engagement focus of Civics Unplugged and the technological innovation of Dream DAO, evolving these proven models to create a new generation of Applied AI practitioners who solve real problems in their local communities.

This proposal represents a mutual exploration of collaboration between Gary Sheng and the Schwartz Foundation/Open Doors nonprofit entity. Final terms to be formalized in a consulting services agreement upon mutual agreement.