MIT Media Lab
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Overview
AI For A Better World is a national initiative developed in collaboration with MIT Solve that invites students in grades 6-12 to explore how artificial intelligence can improve their communities and the broader world. This project challenges students to identify real problems they see or experience and to consider how AI can empower them to propose credible, meaningful solutions. Applications will be submitted through the MIT Solve platform, which opens for submissions on February 17, 2026, when the full application will become available. Selected student teams will be invited to present their solutions to a panel of experts at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts in July 2026 as part of the national celebration of youth innovation.
Program Timeline
Program Details and Materials Released
Monday, Nov 17, 2025
Submission Portal Opens
February 17, 2026
Submissions Due
March 13, 2026
Winners Notified
by April 24, 2026
America's Youth AI Festival
July 17-19, 2026
Program Resources
Step-by-step guidance, including implementation tips, links to suggested lessons, and activity ideas to build student understanding.
Printable handouts, brainstorming sheets, and checklists to help students plan, reflect, and document their work.
Ready-to-use presentation slides to introduce the project, guide student discussions, and support classroom implementation.
We're looking forward to being inspired by the solutions students will develop to address our communities' challenges at the MIT Media Lab!