In the spring of 2024, we launched Impact Genius, and announced the inaugural AI for Good Institute, which was set to be held at Stanford University in the summer.
Within a few weeks, we recieved applications from interested participants from the Bay Area and around the world. Our 2024 cohort was made up of aspiring innovators who combined industry-specific subject matter expertise with passion for the transformative impact of technology.
The first AI for Good Institute exceeded our expectations on many levels.
Here is a recap of the key highlights.
Engaged Participants X Dynamite Content = Amazing Results.
From the very first online session, our participants came to the program ready to learn, engage, and make a difference. Every session had a mixture of lectures, Q&A, workshops, as well as discussions and analyses.
The Curriculum
Our curriculum is comprehensive, broad and deep. The program is 100% live, hands-on, live, and engaging. It includes technical training, startup innovation, human-centered AI, ethics, and impact strategy.
Technical Curriculum
In 2024, our technical curriculum, led by Oumaima Makhlouk, covered the fundamentals of AI and Machine Learning. Participants were introduced to the 7 patterns of AI, the history of machine learning, and the most cutting-edge technologies being applied in today's AI for Good landscape. These included Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Generative AI, and Robotics. Each topic was covered with a mixture of lectures, case studies, hands-on workshops, and the capstone AI startup project that each team developed and pitched to investors at the end of the program.
In 2025, we are taking our technical curriculum to the next level. The AI/ ML is shifting towards more practical, hands-on technical product development training. Our participants will learn the step-by-step process of building an AI product ready to market, going from idea to MVP. We will use no-code tools to equip all participants, including those without a technical background, with the skills needed to build workable technical AI products and the skills to hire, manage, and guide a technical product development team or agency. In addition, we will be covering the most cutting-edge technologies used in the AI product landscape today, including The Rise of Agentic AI, Gen AI, Computer Vision, NLP, Robotics, and more. Participants will leave with a well-rounded skill set in AI innovation applied to the real world.
Business/ Entrepreneurship Curriculum
Our entrepreneurship curriculum, led by Nabila Elassar, provides a comprehensive overview of the startup/ product development process. Participants go through a rigorous, practical., step-by-step process applied directly to their startup ideas.
This includes:
Design Thinking & Idea Validation: Empathize, Define, Ideate and Prototype
Product: Product Design Principles, Figma Wireframes, Human-Centered Design, and Product Roadmap Documents.
Market: Identifying the Market Opportunity (Market Sizing), Crafting a Winning Value Proposition, and Competitive Strategy. Building a Go-to-Market Plan and Finding Product-Market-Fit.
Finance: Startup Fundraising Fundamentals. VC vs. Self-Funding Routes. Unit Economics, Financial Projections, Startup Valuations, and More.
Strategy: Impact Strategy, Growth & Scaling Strategy, Business Structures, Legal Considerations, and more.
Pitch Practice and Feedback: Participants go through several live pitch practice sessions ahead of the final pitch to VCs. They receive invaluable, tailored, personalized feedback on their startup pitch, preparing them for a successful pitch at the end of the program. Several alumni have won pitch competitions at Silicon Valley events after the Institute.
Impact, Ethics, and Human-Centered AI
One of the hallmark differentiators of the AI for Good Institute is our commitment to centering impact, ethics, and human-centered AI within our startup training curriculum. Several AI ethics and human-centered AI sessions were delivered at the Institute by guest speakers like Mehran Sahami, Chair of the Stanford Computer Science Department, Peter Norvig, Director of Research at Google, and Ahmad Rushdi, Senior Manager of Research Partnerships at Stanford HAI.
The Team
In 2024, our academic team combined a highly experienced, diverse set of subject matter experts from various fields, including sustainability, healthcare, venture capital, education, AI/ ML, business, data science, and ethics. They provided support to our participants as project advisers, instructors, coaches, and lecturers.
In 2025, our academic team is expected to grow into a broader list of startup mentors across various industries. They will coach and support participants throughout the program.
The Speakers
Our 2024 speakers were a program highlight. Their knowledge, care, and willingness to support our participants significantly impacted their journey.
Guest lecturers and panelists in 2024 included, but were not limited to:
Mehran Sahami, Chair, Stanford CS Department. Lecture Topics: Ethical AI Fundamentals, Generative AI, and the Future of the Economy
Peter Norvig, Director of Research, Google and HAI Distinguished Fellow. Lecture Topics: Human-Centered AI and Human-Centered Design. Panelist, Final Pitch
Ahmad Rushdi, Sr, Manager of Research Partnerships. Stanford HAI. Lecture Topics: Applied Ethical AI Product Development.
Juan M. Mavista Ferres, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft AI for Good Research Lab. Topic: AI for Good Applications and Case Studies
Brandon Farwell, General Partner, XFund. Topic: AI Venture Capital Panel
Galym Imanbayev, Partner, LightSpeed Ventures. Topic: AI Venture Capital Panel
Fei Ma, Founder of Beta University. Topic: AI Venture Capital Panel
Ekaterina Evchenko, BGV Ventures: Final Pitch, Judge and Panelist
The Startup Ideas
In 2024, the project ideas selected by the cohort included several innovative, impactful, high-potential startup solutions across various industries. These included: sustainability, healthcare, education, entertainment, AI safety, tech hardware, and SaaS.
Some of these projects included, but were not limited to:
Equilibrio: A unique EHR software system for developing countries. Led by Juan Luis Santana.
Water Efficient Gardens: AI-powered sustainable, efficient landscape design for homeowners and communities. Led by Shelkie Tao.
E-Musa: AI-powered music visualization software for individuals with hearing disabilities. Led by Shabnam Karmali.
Collabria: A virtual teaching assistant for the classroom. Led by Alex Summers.
Complex Chaos: Complex stakeholder engagement and group decision-making facilitated by AI. Led by Tomy Lorsch.
Neurosight AI: AI-powered neurodiversity support, detection, and empowerment. Led by Shradha Cripe.
MindMate: AI wellness and mental health platform, led by Susan Gadegone.
Clarified AI: Enterprise AI safety and alignment platform. Led by Ema Hashemi.
Some other startups led and pitched by cohort members included:
Reflective AI: Portable AI-powered earphones, serving as a "second brain." Led by Walter Wang.
Sleep Spark: AI-powered support, tools, and resources for sleep disorders. Led by Simone Sexton.
My Baby My Way: Innovative charity to support the natural rights of girls and women. Led by Sarahyah Yisrael Adon.
In the grand finale, our startup project teams delivered a 4-minute pitch to a panel of judges and an audience of investors, community members, and other participants.
The Stanford Experience
One of the top highlights of the program experience was being on campus at Stanford University. Participants have the opportunity to live and dine at one of the most beautiful campuses in the world, located at the epicenter of the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem.
We are set to return to Stanford in 2025 and look forward to hosting our participants on campus once again this summer.
The Feedback
It takes a true village to put together a program as comprehensive as this. But if there is one true highlight that made this experience profoundly meaningful and transformational, not only for participants but for the entire IG team, it is the genuine, overwhelming feedback we received from participants, guests, and stakeholders.
While we were not able to capture all the feedback we received, we compiled some of it in this recap video.
2024 was a big year for us. It was the pilot year of the AI for Good Institute. It was the year we started our journey as Impact Genius. What an incredible year it has been.
We could not be more excited to grow with you in 2025.
Want to get involved?
Apply for the AI for Good Institute 2025: https://www.impactgenius.ai/institute-stanford
Join our growing team: https://www.impactgenius.ai/join-team
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