AfricurityAI

AI Centers of Excellence (AICE) Framework

A nationwide network of centers bringing AI literacy directly to underserved communities.

Geographic Prioritization

Based on comprehensive poverty research, the AICE network prioritizes implementation in the following areas:

States with Highest Poverty Rates

  1. Mississippi (19.6%)
  2. Louisiana (19.0%)
  3. New Mexico (18.2%)
  4. West Virginia (17.8%)
  5. Kentucky (16.9%)

Cities with Highest Poverty Rates

  1. Detroit, MI (33.4%)
  2. Cleveland, OH (30.8%)
  3. Brownsville, TX (30.2%)
  4. Hartford, CT (28.3%)
  5. Newark, NJ (27.8%)

Additional Priority Areas

  • Rural persistent poverty counties, particularly in the South and Appalachia
  • Tribal lands with high concentrations of American Indian/Alaska Native populations
  • Urban centers with concentrated poverty in the Midwest and Northeast

AICE Physical Infrastructure

The AICE network consists of a three-tier system of physical centers strategically located to maximize reach and impact:

Tier 1: State-Level Centers (5-7)

Location: Capital cities or major urban centers in highest-poverty states

Size: 15,000-20,000 square feet

Staffing: 15-20 full-time staff plus volunteers

Features: Multiple classrooms, advanced technology demonstration areas, resource production facilities, research department, administrative headquarters, conference spaces, mobile unit deployment center

Tier 2: Regional Centers (15-20)

Location: Secondary cities and regional hubs within priority states

Size: 8,000-12,000 square feet

Staffing: 8-12 full-time staff plus volunteers

Features: Training and classroom spaces, technology access points, resource distribution hub, community meeting spaces, mobile unit support facilities, satellite administrative offices

Tier 3: Community Satellites (50-75)

Location: Small cities and rural hubs in high-poverty areas

Size: 3,000-5,000 square feet

Staffing: 3-5 full-time staff plus volunteers

Features: Basic training space, public access computing, resource distribution point, community gathering area, mobile unit coordination

Mandatory Engagement Objectives

The AICE network has mandatory AI literacy objectives for key stakeholder groups, with specific metrics for measuring success:

Community Leader Engagement

Objectives

  • Train community leaders as AI literacy ambassadors
  • Develop community-specific AI literacy action plans
  • Create leadership networks for ongoing AI advocacy
  • Establish community governance of AI literacy initiatives
  • Build capacity for community-led AI literacy programming

Metrics

  • 50-75 leaders trained per state annually
  • 80% of community action plans with measurable progress
  • 25 community-initiated programs per state annually
  • 15% annual increase in active community leader participation
  • 40% increase in AI literacy among trained leaders

K-12 Education Engagement

Objectives

  • Integrate AI literacy into K-12 curricula across grade levels
  • Provide teacher professional development in AI literacy
  • Create age-appropriate AI literacy resources for classrooms
  • Develop after-school and summer AI literacy programs
  • Establish AI literacy pathways from elementary through high school

Metrics

  • Formal agreements with 30% of schools in high-poverty districts
  • 5,000 teachers trained annually across priority states
  • AI literacy activities in 2,000 classrooms annually
  • 100,000 students engaged in AI literacy education annually
  • Complete K-12 AI literacy pathway in 100 school districts annually

HBCU Engagement

Objectives

  • Establish AI literacy centers at HBCUs in priority states
  • Develop HBCU student ambassador programs
  • Create AI research opportunities for HBCU students and faculty
  • Integrate AI literacy into HBCU curricula across disciplines
  • Build HBCU-community partnerships for AI literacy outreach

Metrics

  • Formal agreements with 80% of HBCUs in priority states
  • 25 trained ambassadors per participating HBCU annually
  • 5 AI literacy research projects per HBCU annually
  • AI literacy components in 30% of courses across disciplines
  • 200 HBCU students placed in AI-related internships or jobs annually

Workforce Agency Engagement

Objectives

  • Integrate AI literacy into workforce development programs
  • Train workforce counselors in AI literacy and career implications
  • Develop industry-specific AI literacy training modules
  • Create AI skills certification programs for job seekers
  • Establish employer partnerships for AI literacy implementation

Metrics

  • Agreements with 90% of workforce agencies in priority states
  • 1,000 workforce professionals trained annually
  • 25,000 job seekers completing AI literacy training annually
  • 10,000 AI skills certifications awarded annually
  • Average 15% increase in wages for program completers

State Education Coordination Board Representation

AICE representatives serve on each State Education Coordination Board to ensure alignment with state education priorities and facilitate cross-agency collaboration:

Role of AICE Representatives

  • Serve as voting members on State Education Coordination Boards
  • Ensure alignment between AICE initiatives and state education priorities
  • Advocate for AI literacy integration across educational systems
  • Coordinate resource allocation and program implementation
  • Facilitate cross-agency collaboration for AI literacy initiatives
  • Report on AI literacy metrics and outcomes to state leadership
  • Develop policy recommendations based on program outcomes

Metrics for Board Engagement

  • Policy Influence: Number of AI literacy policies adopted at state level
  • Resource Alignment: Percentage of state education initiatives incorporating AI literacy
  • Cross-Agency Collaboration: Number of joint initiatives with other state agencies
  • Funding Secured: Additional state resources allocated to AI literacy
  • System Integration: Degree of AI literacy integration across educational systems
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Breadth of education stakeholders actively participating
  • Sustainability Planning: Progress toward long-term institutionalization of AI literacy

AI Action Mobile Centers (AIAMC)

The AIAMC component brings AI literacy directly to communities through a fleet of mobile units designed to reach areas distant from fixed centers:

Type A: Full-Service Mobile Centers

Vehicle: Large bus or semi-trailer conversion

Staffing: 3-4 staff members per unit

Features: 12-15 computer workstations, satellite internet, classroom space for 20-25 participants, resource production capabilities, accessible design, self-contained power, expandable space, advanced technology demonstrations

Deployment: 15-20 units nationwide

Type B: Community Engagement Units

Vehicle: Sprinter van or medium-sized vehicle

Staffing: 2-3 staff members per unit

Features: 6-8 computer workstations, internet connectivity, small group training space, resource distribution capacity, basic technology demonstrations, accessible design features, pop-up tent for expanded space

Deployment: 30-40 units nationwide

Type C: Rapid Deployment Units

Vehicle: Transit van or SUV with trailer

Staffing: 1-2 staff members per unit

Features: 3-4 laptop/tablet kits, mobile hotspot capability, pop-up training materials, resource distribution, basic demonstration capabilities, highly flexible deployment

Deployment: 50-75 units nationwide

Deployment Strategy

Mobile units are strategically deployed to maximize reach and impact:

  • Prioritize areas with limited transportation access
  • Focus on rural communities distant from fixed centers
  • Serve urban neighborhoods with transportation barriers
  • Create regular routes and schedules for consistency
  • Develop request system for community-initiated visits

Implementation Timeline

The AICE and AIAMC network will be implemented in four phases over a six-year period:

Phase 1: Foundation (Year 1)

  • Establish 5 state-level centers in highest-poverty states
  • Deploy 15 Type A mobile units
  • Develop core curriculum and resources
  • Build essential partnerships
  • Create evaluation framework

Phase 2: Expansion (Years 2-3)

  • Establish 15 regional centers
  • Deploy additional 30 Type B mobile units
  • Expand to additional high-poverty states
  • Develop specialized programming
  • Begin comprehensive evaluation

Phase 3: Saturation (Years 4-5)

  • Establish 50 community satellites
  • Deploy 50 Type C mobile units
  • Ensure coverage of all highest-poverty areas
  • Develop sustainability mechanisms
  • Document and share best practices

Phase 4: Sustainability (Years 6+)

  • Transition to diverse funding sources
  • Increase community ownership
  • Expand successful programs
  • Scale proven approaches
  • Develop policy recommendations