Over 6 million students have benefitted from the AI curriculum offered by Code.org, a nonprofit focused on computer science education. The organization aims to broaden the scope of computer science learning for K-12 students, initiated by Hadi and Ali Partovi in 2013.
Karim Meghji, the current president and CEO of Code.org, emphasizes the importance of middle school as a pivotal time for students to transition from basic AI understanding to deeper technical fluency. Meghji suggests that this educational stage should involve hands-on experiences with AI models, much like biology students dissect frogs to gain insight into living organisms.
Despite having access to AI technologies, like Amazon’s Alexa, many students, including seventh graders like Kate from Seattle Public Schools, often lack formal education in AI and computer science. Meghji, who has extensive experience in the tech sector, acknowledges the need for improved AI literacy among young learners to prepare them for future opportunities in the field.
Code.org's initiatives, including the “Hour of AI” campaign, have engaged over 25 million students, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of AI education in shaping the next generation's skill set.