“The future’s already arrived; it’s just not evenly distributed yet”
William Gibson
“Age of Acceleration”
Urgent Need for a Different Mindset
“What we don’t understand, we fear. What we fear, we judge as evil. What we judge as evil, we attempt to control. And what we cannot control… we attack.” — unknown
Special implications for girls and mothers
16 million working age women out of the workforce Hamilton Project
Our approach
Providing a systemic, two-generational STEM program, targeting parents so that the whole family adopts a lifelong learning mindset
The AI Family Challenge
Global competition for 10,000 underserved 3rd-8th grade students and parents to develop AI-based products to solve problems in their communities.
~80 community partners across 5 continents
Survey of public perceptions around AI
Research Design
Interest. The Gap. Fear & Mistrust
Fear, Mistrust (57%)
Fear, Mistrust (57%)
Interest, Curiosity (43%)
Interest, Curiosity (43%)
STEM Education
Taking Computer Science/Robotics/Engineering in School
- Among Low-Income (< $50k) Respondents -
20%
Grades 3 – 5
(n = 317)
Grades 6 – 8
(n = 268)
Boy
(n = 331)
Northeast
(n = 110)
South
(n = 245)
36%
19%
19%
Midwest
(n =124)
West
(n = 106)
21%
28%
Girl
(n = 254)
29%
29%
The prevalence of boys and students from the Northeast and West in technology education was consistent throughout the study
Q702 Which of the following subjects is [CHILD] currently taking at school? (n = 583)
Consider STEM Subject to be Extremely Important
- Among Low-Income (< $50k) Respondents -
Public School
(n =512)
Non-Public School
(n = 73)
67%
55%
77%
Black
(n = 85)
64%
Hispanic
(n = 130)
White/Other
(n = 370)
64%
Q703 How important do you feel each of the following school subjects are or would be in terms of contributing to the success of [CHILD]’s future?
Within low-income households, math is regarded as more important among public school and Black parents, in comparison to their counterparts.
Child’s Participation in STEM-Related Extracurricular Activities
| Robotics Club | Engineering Club | Science Club | Computer Science Club | ||||||||
Low-Income <$50K | Mid- Income $50K-$99.9K | High- Income $100K+ | Low-Income <$50K | Mid- Income $50K-$99.9K | High- Income $100K+ | Low-Income <$50K | Mid- Income $50K-$99.9K | High- Income $100K+ | Low-Income <$50K | Mid- Income $50K-$99.9K | High- Income $100K+ | |
| n = 585 | n = 528 | n = 424 | n = 585 | n = 528 | n = 424 | n = 585 | n = 528 | n = 424 | n = 585 | n = 528 | n = 424 |
Currently participating | 4% | 7% | 9% | 4% | 5% | 7% | 7% | 9% | 14% | 11% | 14% | 18% |
Not currently participating, but interested if available | 54% | 59% | 57% | 45% | 53% | 49% | 46% | 56% | 48% | 53% | 56% | 51% |
Not currently participating, and not interested even if available | 42% | 34% | 34% | 51% | 42% | 44% | 47% | 36% | 39% | 36% | 30% | 31% |
Q706 Which of the following best describes [CHILD’]’s participation in the following extracurricular activities?
Would Like Child’s School to Offer More Technology-Related
Classes/Extracurriculars/Enrichment Programs
- Among Low-Income (< $50k) Respondents -
93%
Black
(n = 85)
90%
Hispanic
(n = 130)
White/Other
(n = 370)
84%
Q707 Would you like [CHILD]’s school to offer more technology-related classes and/or extracurricular or enrichment programs?
While the desire for more technology-based extracurricular activities are high across the board, it’s higher among Blacks and (to a slightly lower extent) Hispanics than Whites.
Interest in At-Home Technology Education Among Parents
Q711 How interested would you, personally, be in taking classes, joining a club, or participating in events that provide more guidance for at-home technology education?
100%
100%
100%
58%
57%
53%
Extremely/Very Interested in At-Home Technology Education
- Among Low-Income (< $50k) Respondents -
Q711 How interested would you, personally, be in taking classes, joining a club, or participating in events that provide more guidance for at-home technology education?
A disproportionate percent of the following groups expressed greater interest in receiving at-home technology education: women, Blacks, unmarried respondents, and those with kids in public schools.
Public School
(n =512)
Non Public School
(n = 73)
59%
45%
Male
(n = 176)
Female
(n = 409)
51%
61%
71%
Black
(n = 85)
64%
Hispanic
(n = 130)
White/Other
(n = 370)
52%
Married
(n = 330)
Unmarried
(n = 255)
52%
65%
Artificial Intelligence
23
Familiarity with AI and Household Income
Only 21% of low-income parents claim to be very familiar with AI, with a majority (78%) reporting a slight familiarity with AI. Familiarity of AI directly correlates with income level.
100%
100%
100%
78%
88%
91%
Q712 How familiar are you with the term AI (Artificial Intelligence)?
Examples of AI
- Among Low-Income (< $50k) Respondents at Least Slightly Familiar with AI -
Siri, Amazon Echo/Google Home, and smart appliances were the most commonly known examples of AI
Q714 Which of the following do you believe are examples of AI (Artificial Intelligence) being utilized? Select all that apply (n = 460)
Agreement with Statements about AI
- Among Low-Income (< $50k) Respondents at Least Slightly Familiar with AI -
84%
40%
78%
40%
Top 2 (Net)
57%
67%
29%
68%
Q715 How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about AI (Artificial Intelligence)? (n = 460)
Interest in Learning More about AI
Q716 How interested are you in learning more about AI (Artificial Intelligence)?
43%
47%
53%
Top 2 (Net)
AI Family Challenge Goals
Short-term Outcomes
Long -term Outcomes