The Problem
The problem we are addressing is the lack of access to civic education and leadership opportunities in Title I and under-resourced schools. Many students from immigrant and low-income communities attend schools without debate programs or enrichment activities that build public speaking, confidence, and critical-thinking skills. Without these tools, young people are less likely to participate in civic life or advocate for the issues that matter to them. Through Debate Guru AI, we aim to close that gap by using artificial intelligence to provide free, high-quality debate education. Our platform helps students in underserved schools practice civil discourse, understand multiple perspectives, and gain the confidence to lead in their communities. By lowering structural barriers (such as cost, limited staffing, and lack of trained coaches), we ensure that every student has the chance to discover and strengthen their voice.
Our Plan
We run a youth-led program that deploys Debate Guru AI in classrooms and programs across the tri-state area. Educators in 12+ partner schools, many in Title I districts, use the platform in English and Social Studies, afterschool programs, and summer school courses, reaching 5,000+ students. The platform offers guided lessons, live debate practice, and instant feedback. We partnered with ReadyAI and Dr. Roozbeh Aliabadi at Stanford’s Compassion in AI to study early implementation. A pilot across two sites with about 50 students (grades 8–11) compared a literature-integrated model and a full AI-based debate curriculum. Pre/post surveys and observations showed statistically significant gains (p < 0.05) in student confidence, argument structure, and AI engagement, with stronger gains in the full-curriculum group. Our paper was accepted under EAAI at the AAAI Conference in Singapore (2025). We presented at WAICY (World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth) in Lisbon. We also shared results with 1,000+ teachers, including professional development at The Bronx High School of Science.
