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Network & Community Application Answers

Networks/Organizations/Communities (up to 5)​

1. Gauntlet AI Alumni Community​

Leadership Role: No

2. Christian Microschools Ecosystem​

Leadership Role: Yes

3. Christofuturist Community​

Leadership Role: Yes

4. Forbes 30 Under 30 (2021)​

Leadership Role: No

5. Applied AI Society​

Leadership Role: Yes

Leadership & Community Involvement Details​

I created the Christofuturist community—a community of tech x faith leaders exploring how to build technology that serves humanity and glorifies God. https://substack.garysheng.com/

I am a member of the Gauntlet AI engineering bootcamp alumni group. Graduated at the top of the founding class (2024) and now help organize community events and mentor newer cohorts. https://gauntletai.com/

I'm building the Applied AI Society with Travis Oliphant (creator of NumPy). We're hosting events to help builders implement AI in real-world business contexts. First major event: January 29, 2026 in Austin.

I'm helping develop the Christian Microschools Ecosystem in Texas. Working with educators and church leaders to launch faith-based microschools using Texas TEFA funding. https://texaschristianmicroschools.com/

Forbes 30 Under 30 (2021) recognized my work co-founding Civics Unplugged, a non-profit empowering Gen Z in civic education. https://www.forbes.com/profile/gary-sheng/

Essays and Recognition​

Which REALITY value do you hold most dear and why?​

Values: equity, impact, optimism, humility, collaboration

Impact. I've spent my career turning niche technology communities into mainstream movements. At Google I realized I wanted to build things that matter beyond shareholder returns. So I left to co-found Civics Unplugged, reaching thousands of young civic leaders. Now I'm building the Applied AI Society to ensure AI serves humanity rather than displaces it. But impact without humility is dangerous. My grandfather spent six years in a Chinese labor camp. My great-grandfather was a pastor in 1930s China. Their sacrifices taught me that real impact requires serving others, not self-promotion. I want my work to outlast me.

Leadership Journey (150 words max)​

My leadership path has been defined by building bridges between worlds that rarely speak to each other.

At Duke, I led the university dance team while studying computer science. While an engineer at Google NYC, I co-founded Dancing Pineapple, hosting 24 concerts bridging underground music with mainstream audiences.

The pivotal moment came when I left Google to co-found Civics Unplugged, a nonprofit empowering Gen Z in civic engagement. We earned support from The Rock, Andrew Yang, and Coinbase. Forbes 30 Under 30 recognized our work in 2021.

I then contributed to Vitalik Buterin's Zuzalu pop-up city, exploring new models of community. In 2024, I graduated top of Gauntlet AI's founding class.

Today I'm building the Applied AI Society with Travis Oliphant (NumPy creator) and developing Christian microschools in Texas. My passion: helping people use technology to build things that matter.

Interest or Connection to Israel, Jewish Values, and the Jewish Community (100 words max)​

I'm a Christian who deeply respects Judaism as the root of my faith tradition. Israel is where my faith was born. I want to walk where Jesus walked and see the land that shaped the scriptures I read daily.

The Jewish commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world) directly inspires my work building technology communities that serve humanity. Many of my closest friends and mentors are Jewish.

I'm also drawn to Israel's startup culture and its model of building meaningful technology under pressure. I want to learn how Israeli innovation can inform my work bridging faith and technology communities.

Emily connection:

We met recently after I gave a presentation on the narratives that will shape our future.

https://substack.garysheng.com/p/narratives

We connected deeply on many topics, and she brought up her connection to REALITY after I mentioned how I felt that God put it on my heart to visit Israel.