What is the name of your organization?
Native Hawaiian Philanthropy
What is the name of your solution?
AI Accessibility & Integration
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
This three-year initiative empowers NHPI communities to harness AIʻs transformative potential— as creators, innovators, and cultural stewards.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Maui County, HI, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
USA
What type of organization is your solution team?
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders face significant barriers to accessing technology education and training, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital storytelling. The legacy of colonization and socio-economic disparities continues to impact their access to resources, compounding the issue of displacement. Key challenges include economic barriers, the need for culturally-grounded technology training, and limited access to high-paying jobs. Less than 5% of indigenous NHPI speak their language, while the public school system emphasizes assimilation, limiting cultural education. Over 50% of Native Hawaiians have moved out of Hawaii due to high living costs and limited income potential. High-paying job opportunities are limited due to the economy's heavy reliance on tourism, which predominantly offers low-wage jobs with few benefits. This dependency restricts job diversity and contributes to income inequality within the community.
Moreover, the lack of representation in technology and the creative industries limits Indigenous communities' ability to share their narratives in an increasingly digital world. There is a growing demand for culturally relevant content that reflects Indigenous values and experiences. The on-going erasure of indigenous history and culture requires action to assure the protection, preservation and promotion of indigenous culture, history, values and wisdom.
What is your solution?
AIAI is dedicated to empowering Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders by providing comprehensive training programs that equip participants with essential skills for the digital economy and amplify their voices through AI-driven storytelling. The project will initiate with AI technology training, featuring workshops tailored for various skill levels, covering foundational concepts to advanced applications. Participants will engage in hands-on projects, developing AI-driven applications that reflect Indigenous narratives and foster collaboration and creativity. Internship opportunities with leading tech companies, such as Microsoft and CyborgMobile, will offer real-world experience and pathways to high-paying jobs in technology.
In parallel, the AI Writing Program will enhance storytelling skills through workshops focused on cultural authenticity and narrative integration. Participants will utilize AI tools to refine their writing and receive mentorship from industry professionals for guidance. By integrating cultural knowledge through workshops and storytelling circles, AIAI ensures that participants’ work is rooted in their culture, fostering economic sustainability and authentic self-expression in the digital age.
These workforce development solutions will enable NHPI participants to pursue high-wage jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in creative fields, while trainers and mentors will facilitate connections with businesses and studios interested in investing in Indigenous storytelling.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
AIAI will serve the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island communities in the U.S., Hawaii, Canada and throughout the Pacific. The target population is indigenous men and women of the Pacific. The AI Technology training will be available for participants between the ages of 16-40, targeting individuals that have a natural aptitude to work with computers and/or have studied computer science in high school, college and/or through hands-on training. The goal of this program is to provide training and internship opportunities that will lead to a 12-month internship employment with Microsoft and/or CyborgMobile for $100,000/annually. There has been a 100% retention rate for AI Technology graduates of this program, leading to long-term employment in high-wage jobs.
The AI Writing training will be available to participants between the ages of 18-80, targeting individuals that have experience writing poetry, childrenʻs books, novels/novelettes, comic books, and screenplays. The program will provide training, mentorship and support to further develop their writing works into a viable product. Former graduates of this program have sold their scripts to Netflix, Prime and other movie studios and companies. The goal is to support the indigenous writers in becoming successful creative entrepreneurs.