Changing Expectations – Mission & Vision for an AI Future
Our Mission
Changing Expectations empowers educators, families, and communities with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to actively shape the future of artificial intelligence. We provide high-quality AI education, professional development, and workforce pathways that prepare learners of all ages to thrive—not just consume technology, but create it with purpose and ethics.
Our Vision
We envision a future where every learner—regardless of background, income, age, or zip code—has the opportunity to understand, build, and lead with artificial intelligence. Changing Expectations is committed to closing the AI divide and ensuring that underrepresented communities are not left behind, but are at the forefront of innovation, leadership, and generational impact.
Our Work & Approach
Since 2011, Changing Expectations has delivered transformative STEM, coding, and AI programs through immersive learning experiences, educator training, and industry partnerships. Our initiatives—such as the Central Texas AI Coding Makerspace, Black Girls in AI, and My Brother’s Keeper AI Makerspace—equip students and adults to design AI voice chatbots, solve real-world problems, and explore responsible AI innovation.
We partner with leaders like Code.org, Dell Technologies, Google, the University of Texas at Austin, and the National Science Foundation to bring mentorship, hands-on learning, and career pathways directly to underserved communities.
Closing the AI Divide
Artificial intelligence is redefining education, work, and civic life. Yet without intentional access and representation, it risks deepening inequality. Changing Expectations is committed to ensuring learners become not only users of AI, but ethical designers, developers, and decision-makers. Our work centers communities historically excluded from technology, including low-income families, rural learners, English language learners, seniors, and veterans.
Impact & Legacy
50,000+ students inspired
1,500+ educators trained
Dozens of partnerships across education, research, and industry
Work-based learning and AI internships for high school, HBCU, and adult learners
Changing Expectations has established a nationwide model proving that with access, support, and belief, every learner can build a future in AI, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Why Your Support Matters
Your support fuels our mission to:
Expand AI literacy programs for youth, educators, parents, grandparents, veterans, and seniors
Train educators in responsible AI design and use, personalization, and innovation
Develop responsible AI tools that reflect community values
Create career pathways that break cycles of poverty and build wealth
Changing Expectations believes we must do more than adapt to AI—we must lead it. Together, we can build a generation of AI creators, changemakers, and visionary leaders.
“Our research shows learning how to program has an impact in improving sequencing skills. If you get better at sequencing, it has a measurable positive effect on reading comprehension. A parent can have their kid engage in coding with the knowledge that a lot of kids won’t become programmers, but there is this broad-based benefit.
”
Major AchievEMents
Since 2011, Changing Expectations has supported over 50,000 underserved and underrepresented students both directly and indirectly by providing professional development for over 1,500 computer science teachers in partnership with Code.org, the University of Texas at Austin, the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), and the U.S. National Science Foundation.
In 2016, invited to the White House for our work in STEM education for Black and Hispanic youth. For more info, see White House Visit — Changing Expectations