Preparing America for the Age of AI
Preparing America for the Age of AI Preparing America for the Age of AI Preparing America for the Age of AI
Empowering Future Learners
Innovative Curriculum
The AI Readiness Institute (ARI) prepares and protects communities through AI literacy, digital safety, and institutional readiness — ensuring every person has the knowledge and confidence to navigate the future. The AI Readiness Institute (ARI) is a national nonprofit building the first community-centered infrastructure for life in the age of artificial intelligence. Our mission is simple but urgent: to equip every community with the literacy, safety, and leadership they need as AI transforms daily life.
About Our Programs
Community AI Support Team (CAST)
AI Readiness Audit & Implementation Program
Community AI Support Team (CAST)
Youth leading the movement for AI literacy, safety, and community readiness.
CAST (Community AI Support Team) is the youth-powered branch of the AI Readiness Institute (ARI). Through CAST, young people across the country step into leadership roles as educators, safety guides, and digital citizens — helping their own communities understand
Youth leading the movement for AI literacy, safety, and community readiness.
CAST (Community AI Support Team) is the youth-powered branch of the AI Readiness Institute (ARI). Through CAST, young people across the country step into leadership roles as educators, safety guides, and digital citizens — helping their own communities understand and navigate the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence.
CAST is built on a simple idea with powerful consequences:
When young people lead, communities listen.
When communities understand AI, they stay safer.
And when safety grows, everyone benefits.
AI Navigator Certification
AI Readiness Audit & Implementation Program
Community AI Support Team (CAST)
The AI Navigator Certification is ARI’s national youth training program that prepares young people to confidently teach AI literacy, support digital safety, and lead community-focused education. Navigators learn how to understand AI clearly, spot deepfakes and scams, protect families and seniors, and run workshops that make AI simple and
The AI Navigator Certification is ARI’s national youth training program that prepares young people to confidently teach AI literacy, support digital safety, and lead community-focused education. Navigators learn how to understand AI clearly, spot deepfakes and scams, protect families and seniors, and run workshops that make AI simple and accessible for everyone.
Navigators are the heart of CAST — helping chapters grow, leading community events, and serving as trusted guides in an increasingly digital world.
The certification is free, beginner-friendly, and open to all youth ages 13–22. Every Navigator earns a national credential and can advance through four ranks — Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum — each representing deeper leadership and community impact.
Whether you’re passionate about technology, teaching, public service, or digital citizenship, becoming an AI Navigator gives you the tools to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
Become a Navigator.
Lead the next generation.
Innovation Labs
AI Readiness Audit & Implementation Program
AI Readiness Audit & Implementation Program
Eight labs. Endless impact. Real-world solutions for the AI age.
The ARI Innovation Labs are where ideas turn into action. Each Lab has a clear mission and a dedicated focus — from deepfake defense to senior digital safety, youth-led research, community action, and institutional readiness. Together, they form a national engine of creativi
Eight labs. Endless impact. Real-world solutions for the AI age.
The ARI Innovation Labs are where ideas turn into action. Each Lab has a clear mission and a dedicated focus — from deepfake defense to senior digital safety, youth-led research, community action, and institutional readiness. Together, they form a national engine of creativity, insight, and problem-solving for the challenges AI creates in everyday life.
Every Lab has its own identity, its own microsite, and its own mission — but all share one purpose: to give families, communities, and institutions the tools they need to stay safe, informed, and ready for the future.
Whether you’re a youth innovator, an educator, a researcher, or a community leader, the Innovation Labs are your gateway to hands-on projects, cutting-edge learning, and impact that reaches across the country.
Choose a Lab.
Enter the Lab.
Change your community.
AI Readiness Audit & Implementation Program
AI Readiness Audit & Implementation Program
AI Readiness Audit & Implementation Program
“A roadmap that helps institutions prepare for the AI era.”
AIRAIP is ARI’s institutional support program — a professional, research-based framework that helps schools, libraries, nonprofits, and municipalities assess their level of AI readiness and develop a clear action plan for the next 12 months.
It is the institutional counterpart to CAST and the Navigator Certification.
About AI Readiness Institute
Our Philosophy
ARI combines youth leadership, innovation, and institutional readiness to build a future where all people — not just the privileged few — can move confidently through a world shaped by AI.
Our Vision
A nation where every person, family, and institution feels confident, prepared, and safe navigating the world of artificial intelligence — regardless of background, age, or access to resources.
OUR IMPACT GOALS (2026–2040)
Prepare 10 million people with AI literacy
Train 100,000 Navigators
Establish 5,000 CAST Chapters
Serve 5,000 institutions through AIRAIP
Build a nationwide digital safety infrastructure
Become the leading national model for AI community readiness
Youth Empowerment Movement
Community AI Support Team
CAST exists to ensure that every community — urban, rural, suburban, and everything in between — has access to clear, trusted, and accessible guidance in the age of AI.
CAST members help their communities by:
- Teaching AI literacy workshops
- Helping seniors avoid AI-driven scams
- Supporting families with digital safety
- Identifying deepfake trends
- Leading school and library events
- Building public trust and understanding
- Developing next-generation leadership skills
Simply put: CAST is where youth step up to meet the moment.
Get Started Today!
Joining CAST is simple — and it starts with just two to four youth who want to make a difference in their community. No experience needed. No special skills required. Just curiosity, leadership, and the desire to help others understand the world of AI.
Unlock Your Potential with The Eight ARI Innovation Labs
AI Literacy Studio - Blog
The AI Literacy Studio transforms complex AI concepts into simple, accessible content for families, educators, and young people. Through friendly explainers, how-to guides, and weekly articles, the Studio demystifies AI and builds everyday digital confidence. It serves as ARI’s public education hub and the voice of national AI readiness.
Youth Innovation Lab
The Youth Innovation Lab empowers young people to prototype new ideas, tools, and research projects that strengthen AI literacy and community safety. It serves as an incubator for youth-led creativity, exploration, and experimentation. The Lab ensures that youth perspectives drive the future of AI readiness.
Institutional Readiness Lab
This Lab creates the policies, protocols, templates, and training modules that support AIRAIP’s institutional audit and implementation system. It helps schools, libraries, nonprofits, and businesses adopt AI responsibly while protecting their communities. The Lab is the policy and governance backbone of ARI’s institutional work.
Community Impact Lab
The Community Impact Lab designs turnkey project kits, event templates, and workshop materials that CAST chapters use to educate their communities. Every resource is youth-friendly, easy to deploy, and focused on real-world impact. The Lab ensures CAST teams can launch high-quality programs from day one.
Navigator Leadership Lab
The Navigator Leadership Lab builds the training, rank systems, activities, and leadership pathways that power the AI Navigator Certification. It focuses on youth ethics, public speaking, mentorship, and community service development. The Lab shapes the next generation of confident, ethical AI safety leaders.
Deepfake Defense Lab
The Deepfake Defense Lab develops tools, training, and public safety campaigns that help communities identify, understand, and respond to manipulated media. From detection checklists to crisis response templates, the Lab equips people of all ages to navigate misinformation with clarity. It is ARI’s frontline defense against synthetic media threats.
Senior & Family Digital Safety Lab
This Lab creates senior-friendly and family-centered safety kits, workshops, and resources to prevent scams, voice-cloning fraud, and AI-driven manipulation. Materials are written in simple, supportive language that adults and seniors can trust. The Lab ensures every household—regardless of tech experience—can stay safe in an AI-powered world.
ASAC Insight Lab
The ASAC Insight Lab tracks emerging AI-driven risks, scam patterns, deepfake incidents, and public safety trends across North America. It transforms this intelligence into monthly bulletins, dashboards, and alerts that help institutions and communities stay ahead of threats. ASAC serves as ARI’s real-time safety and risk analysis engine.
AIRAIP: The Gold Standard for Institutional AI Readiness
AIRAIP equips schools, libraries, nonprofits, and businesses with the policies, training, and protection they need to operate safely and responsibly in an AI-driven world.