Learn AI wins Rep. Ami Bera’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in California’s Sixth District

When asked what inspired the creation of Learn AI, the students said, “The inspiration for Learn AI came from our own experiences as high school students trying to understand and use artificial intelligence in our learning and daily lives. While AI is quickly becoming one of the most influential forces shaping our future, we realized that many students and communities are being left behind. In our classrooms, we noticed that most of our peers felt intimidated by AI. Some even believed it was “too hard” or “only for coders.” This motivated us to do something about it.

“A few months ago, we designed and led a half-day, in-person AI bootcamp for high school students in our community. The event introduced basic AI concepts through hands-on, gamified lessons. Students who walked in nervous left confident and excited to explore more. We saw clear improvements in their understanding, attitudes, and willingness to apply AI in creative ways.

“However, one key problem became clear: access. Not everyone could attend the bootcamp in person, and many participants wanted to keep learning after it ended. This realization sparked the idea for Learn AI: an app that makes AI learning accessible to anyone, anywhere.

“Learn AI is designed to help students, parents, and community members jumpstart their lifelong AI learning. It transforms complex ideas into bite-sized, interactive lessons that make learning fun and approachable. The app also includes streak tracking, peer discussions, and “mini-projects,” where users can apply what they’ve learned to real-world challenges. 

“Beyond students, we identified two groups who could benefit greatly from AI literacy: seniors and patients. Seniors often face risks from AI-driven scams and misinformation, while patients struggle to navigate complex healthcare systems increasingly influenced by algorithms. Our vision is to create an intergenerational learning platform where high school students and community volunteers help others use AI safely and effectively.

“With Learn AI, we aim to make AI literacy simple, safe, and fun for all generations. This bridges the growing digital divide. Our goal is to empower everyone, from teens to seniors, to understand and confidently engage with the technology shaping our world today and tomorrow.”