Over the course of this grant period, Serve AI embedded generative AI methodologies into the already successful Serve IT program, empowering both local nonprofits and the students who supported them. Fifteen students were employed, each gaining hands-on, real-world experience in Public Interest Technology as they worked directly with community organizations to create innovative, AI-driven solutions. These efforts included the development of “Blindness Accessibility CustomGPT” and “Deafness Accessibility CustomGPT,” which analyze websites for accessibility issues and offer actionable improvements, as well as multiple best-practice guides on prompt engineering, social media automation, and ethical considerations for AI.
By building on Serve IT’s existing framework of civic engagement, Serve AI was able to offer both nonprofits and students new pathways into responsible technology adoption. Projects ranged from grant-writing assistance—leveraging AI to break down RFP requirements and create proposal maps—to AI-supported social media workflows that automate content creation and boost community outreach. Students researched and documented emerging challenges such as deepfakes, financial manipulation, and misinformation, providing resources for nonprofits to mitigate these potential risks. In doing so, they also honed their understanding of inclusive design and ethical tech practices. The outcome is a robust collection of user-friendly tools and guides that not only upgrade the technical capabilities of community partners but also nurture a new generation of ethically minded technologists, positioning the Serve AI initiative as a model for community-oriented, experiential learning in Public Interest Technology.
In partnership with Canopy Bloomington, an organization focused on growing and maintaining Bloomington’s urban forest. Together, we built a mobile app allowing volunteers to scan a QR code on newly planted trees, track maintenance like watering or pruning, and report tree health. This information populates a dashboard, enabling Canopy staff to monitor the overall urban forest condition. While tailor-made for Canopy, the underlying platform is adaptable for other nonprofits, such as Boys & Girls Clubs or Teach IT programs that need simple inventory or resource-tracking.
Another one of our flagship projects is “Think Island,” an interactive AI learning adventure where students face real-life scenarios and must choose solutions reflecting problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence, and ethical awareness. By integrating these presentations with real-world classroom or club activities, we hope to foster a broader understanding of generative AI among K-12 learners and their families.
