Buk

Empowr

Buk

Buk is an AI-powered Microlearning and tutoring solution that creates personalized and adaptive learning curriculum for each student.

Atlanta, GA, USA

United States

Nonprofit

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Hundreds of millions of students globally lack access to quality learning—especially in foundational skills like math. According to PISA, math scores have declined more than reading or science, with students in over 100 low- and middle-income countries most affected. The World Bank estimates that if all 15-year-olds met just the lowest OECD math benchmark, 104 million people could rise out of extreme poverty. In the U.S., COVID-19 has deepened existing educational inequities. Students in low-income districts are now more than a full grade behind in math, while their wealthier peers have nearly recovered. In Georgia, where Empowr works, students in underserved communities fall further behind each year—due to large class sizes, limited resources, and instruction that doesn’t adapt to their needs. Empowr’s AI-powered platform, BUK, addresses this challenge by providing personalized math tutoring on any internet-connected device, even in low-bandwidth settings. BUK delivers 1:1 support that adapts in real-time to each student’s learning style and skill gaps. This allows historically excluded learners to access high-quality, relevant, and scalable instruction—helping them build confidence, close learning gaps, and unlock long-term opportunity.

BUK is an AI-powered microlearning and tutoring platform that delivers personalized math instruction to students on any internet-connected device. The tool adapts to each learner’s performance, identifies skill gaps in real-time, and generates bite-sized lessons and practice exercises tailored to their needs. Students receive live AI tutoring, audio-based explanations, and interactive microlearning modules. Lessons are short and focused, making it easy for students with limited access, low bandwidth, or learning differences to stay engaged. BUK also supports different learning styles by offering lessons through text, podcasts, and short videos. Educators use BUK’s AI tools to track student progress, get automated recommendations, and receive real-time feedback to guide instruction. The platform is designed for use in schools or at home and requires no special hardware—making it easy to scale in underserved communities. BUK was developed by Empowr, a nonprofit that creates school-to-career pipelines for low-income youth. The platform is already in use in Georgia and is built to support expansion across the U.S. and globally.

BUK serves middle and high school students from low-income communities—many of whom have been excluded from high-quality STEM education. These students often attend underfunded schools with outdated math curricula, limited technology, and large class sizes that prevent personalized support. Many are more than a grade level behind in math and lack confidence in their ability to succeed in technical subjects. Our target population includes Black and Brown students disproportionately impacted by systemic inequities. Many are the first in their families to pursue college or career pathways in STEM. Without targeted intervention, they risk falling further behind—limiting their future academic and economic opportunities. BUK meets these students where they are. It provides 1:1, AI-powered tutoring and microlearning that adapts to each learner’s pace, skill level, and style. The platform is designed for accessibility—it works on any internet-connected device, even in low-bandwidth environments, and requires no special hardware. Through BUK, students build core math skills, re-engage with STEM, and grow their academic confidence. They gain not only personalized instruction but exposure to tech-enabled learning experiences that prepare them for future opportunities that will help to break cycles of poverty and spark long-term mobility.