Human-Powered AI for Social Good: Learning with HundrED’s Youth Ambassadors

By Erica Crane, EdD

What does it mean to keep humans at the center of AI?

That was the guiding question behind our recent workshop, Human-Powered AI for Social Good, co-led by Erica Crane, EdD (sideby) and Marta Pinto, PhD (AI Goes to School), in partnership with HundrED’s Global Youth Ambassadors.

Together with young changemakers from around the world, we explored how AI is already shaping their daily lives and how it might shape their futures. But more importantly, we examined where AI can genuinely support youth-led social impact work and where human judgment, voice, and purpose must lead.

Starting with What Matters

The workshop opened with reflection:
How does AI impact your day?
How might it impact your future?

From there, we grounded the conversation in real project work. Youth Ambassadors are actively designing social impact initiatives in their communities. The focus shifted to how Youth Ambassadors may use AI responsibly and strategically.

We explored practical applications around how AI may support expression and organization:

• Brainstorming project ideas

• Researching community organizations

• Drafting outreach emails

• Designing logos or visual assets

• Writing thank-you notes (with a reminder: AI can help, but it can’t replace your voice)

Community Mapping + AI

A core focus of the session was strengthening Youth Ambassadors’ community maps—identifying people, organizations, funding opportunities, and potential collaborators in their regions.

We asked:

• Who is already doing inspiring work in your community?

• Where are there opportunities for partnership or support?

• How can AI help you draft thoughtful outreach?

• How can it help you spot connections you might otherwise miss?

AI became a tool for expanding awareness—not outsourcing leadership.

Breakout Sessions

In breakout rooms, Marta shared her step-by-step framework for creating a social impact project with the help of AI while Erica supported ambassadors as they dug into strategy and prioritization (with the help of this tool from The Management Center).

What We Learned

The Youth Ambassadors demonstrated what we believe at sideby: the future of AI in education is agency-first. Young people can use AI to extend their reach and enhance their thinking, not replace it.

We’re grateful to HundrED for convening a global community that is willing to wrestle with these questions thoughtfully and critically. And we’re thankful to Marta for bringing practical tools that make AI use concrete, responsible, and empowering.