Robin Hood and Alexis Ohanian unveil three groundbreaking AI-driven solutions that will transform the fight against poverty.
Robin Hood Founder Paul Tudor Jones II and Board Member Alexis Ohanian announcing the Robin Hood AI Poverty Challenge at the 2024 Opportunity x AI Summit.
AI has the power to unlock new solutions by personalizing services, improving efficiency, and scaling impact—making it a powerful ally in the fight against poverty.
An AI-generated image of abstract AI graphics merging with images of NYC neighborhoods.
Launched at the 2024 Opportunity x AI Summit, the AI Poverty Challenge aimed to leverage AI-driven solutions to promote upward mobility from poverty in NYC and beyond.
Robin Hood CEO Richard Buery, Jr. speaking at the 2024 Opportunity x AI Summit.
Learn more about the Challenge
Three visionary organizations emerged as the winners, each using AI to tackle poverty in a unique and transformative way. Each winner receives $1 million to scale their impact.
Three awardees were selected from almost 200 applications and nine finalists in the AI Poverty Challenge, a national competition announced in 2024 to promote the use of AI as a tool to combat poverty by fueling opportunity.
More about the winners
Beyond 12 helps underserved college students succeed by combining tech, coaching, and data to close the graduation and opportunity gap.
They support low-income and first-generation college students by integrating data, tech, and human coaching to increase graduation rates and post-college success. Their approach bridges the disconnect between high school and higher education, helping students persist and thrive in college and beyond.
MyCoach AI is a personalized digital coach using GenAI and cultural insights to guide underserved students through college with timely, relevant support.
The tool combines GenAI with Beyond 12’s proprietary coaching data, curriculum, and tone-of-voice guidelines to provide personalized, proactive guidance. It mimics a Socratic, human-centered coaching style, enabling scale while reserving human coaches for complex issues—ensuring more students stay on track and succeed.
Watch
CodePath delivers industry-aligned computer science education to underrepresented students, helping them thrive in college and tech careers.
They partner with colleges to offer rigorous, career-ready tech courses and mentorship for underrepresented students in computer science. Their model transforms how students from diverse backgrounds prepare for and access high-growth careers in software engineering and beyond.
CodePath’s AI Tutor provides real-time, personalized learning support based on student progress, making computer science more accessible to all.
Their AI Tutor adapts to student needs by analyzing course content, performance, and progress to offer timely, relevant support. Built with care and extensive testing, the AI ensures equity and safety at scale—helping more students master CS skills and launch tech careers.
Watch
The Legal Aid Society provides free legal services to low-income New Yorkers, promoting justice and fighting systemic inequality across the city.
As NYC’s oldest and largest legal services provider, The Legal Aid Society defends the rights of low-income New Yorkers across housing, criminal, family, and immigration law. Through direct service and systemic advocacy, they protect vulnerable communities and drive lasting policy reform.
Their Housing Helpline AI Tool speeds up legal info retrieval, helping staff resolve housing issues quickly while maintaining service quality.
Developed with Columbia Law School, the AI-powered Housing Helpline Tool uses a secure, closed system to summarize vetted legal content instantly. It reduces wait times, boosts same-day resolutions, and frees attorneys to focus on complex cases—enhancing capacity and impact without sacrificing human connection.
Watch
Alexis Ohanian shares his thoughts on how AI can be a force for good and why he’s proud to support Robin Hood’s mission to fight poverty in NYC.
Watch
Dive deeper into the winners’ work and stay connected with Robin Hood’s efforts to fight poverty.
Visit aipovertychallenge.org
The Robin Hood AI Poverty Challenge was made possible through a partnership with the Bezos Family Foundation, Deloitte, and GitLab Foundation.