EquiAi

Team Leader

Shyla Hardwick

Solution Overview

What is the name of your organization?

Enmerge Analytica

What is the name of your solution?

EquiAi

Provide a one-line summary of your solution.

AI-powered platform for STEM teaching artists

What specific problem are you solving?

Increasing diversity in science education and representation.

What is your solution?

EquiAi is an AI-powered platform for teaching artists.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

EquiAi harnesses the potential of AI to empower teaching artists, transform arts education, and make a positive difference in the lives of students. Our prototype is being deployed to communities throughout the United States, enabling us to partner with a minimum of 10 community leaders annually and cater to over 1000 students.

Every community organization we collaborate with possesses the following attributes:

A track record of catering to K-12 students
Existing STEAM-focused initiatives
Aspirations to leverage computational intelligence for advancing their organizations
Accreditation as a 501(c)(3) non-profit
Predominantly female leadership and staff members who belong to underrepresented groups in the field of science

How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?

The founders of Enmerge Analytica (EA) comprise Black, Indigenous, and women research scientists and engineers. EA collaborates with community cultural centers that have a remarkable track record of fostering positive community engagement. Our existing partners boast over 40 years of documented experience of service to their communities in the Los Angeles and Atlanta metropolitan areas.

As a company, EA adheres to a “community driven” model, where the our teams support educational initiatives in conjunction with the current mission of cultural leadership. EA offers platforms, such as EquiAi, that facilitate coordination among typically underrepresented AI engineers, teaching artists, and community organizations.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Create a more inclusive STEM workplace culture including through improving pay transparency, decreasing bias in hiring and promotion, introducing and upholding healthy behaviors and organizational role models, and/or bolstering wraparound supports for wor

In what city and state is your solution team headquartered?

Atlanta, GA, USA

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model, but which is not yet serving anyone

Please share details about what makes your solution a Prototype rather than a Concept.

Our webApp is currently in the testing phase, and we have formed partnerships with community organizations to implement STEAM teaching artist programming and education. These initiatives will be launched on the EquiAi platform in the fall of 2023 and winter 2024.

Why are you applying to the Challenge?

I see this challenge as an opportunity to redefine business models, support diversity in science and technology, and provide access to my community members.

By participating in the developmental models and peer-to peer network of this challenge, I can leverage the expertise and network of professionals in the field to refine and optimize my AI-powered platform for teaching artists.

Winning this award will provide me with the necessary resources, support, and recognition to make a significant impact in empowering teaching artists and advancing arts education. This funding will support on crucial aspects of the EA business model, including infrastructure costs, funding for teaching artists, and workspace configurations for students. The increased visibility that accompanies this award will enable me to enhance the platform's functionalities, forge valuable partnerships with arts organizations and educational institutions, and secure the long-term sustainability of the project.

Moreover, being selected for this challenge will showcase the potential of AI technology in the field of arts education, highlighting its ability to transform traditional teaching methods and promote creativity, inclusivity, and student engagement. It will not only benefit my immediate community members but also inspire other educators and organizations to explore innovative approaches in their respective fields.

Ultimately, I am applying to this challenge because I firmly believe in the power of AI to empower teaching artists, revolutionize arts education, and create a positive impact on students' lives.

Thank you for considering my application.

Who is the Team Lead for your solution?

Shyla Hardwick

How is your Team Lead connected to the community or communities in which your project is based?

The team lead is a female founder with history of interdisciplinary science, tech start-up leadership experience, and a strong background in computational science and arts education.