The AI for Impact Co-op Program

In the AI for Impact Co-op Program, students work full-time on experiential AI projects for social good. AI for Impact students are currently working alongside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New Jersey using generative AI to support impactful projects that are improving the delivery of services and programs for residents.

In this pioneering “product-based learning” program, teams wield AI as a tool for transformative innovation, turning ideas into measurable impacts in collaboration with the communities they are serving and under the expert guidance of seasoned professionals. This program builds on our twenty-years of experience building civic technologies with governments, civil society organizations and communities.

Download the AI for Impact one-pager

How this Experiential AI Program Works

Students use artificial intelligence and human-centered design to deliver cutting-edge projects that improve lives.

Six month, paid, full-time job
Projects centered around social change
In collaboration with public interest partners
Human-centered co-design with impacted communities
Professional technology, product and community engagement mentors
Deep-dive skill-building workshops to build the AI talent pipeline

Our goal? To deliver working products in six months and create the next generation of AI-enabled leaders.

View the Syllabus

Are you interested in developing an AI for Impact project? Reach out to David Fields at [email protected]. Are you interested in supporting this unique program? Reach out to Kristin Barrali at [email protected]

News from AI for Impact

AI sandbox generates new solutions, talent pipeline in Massachusetts

Read about how Seth Harris discussed labor relations, President Trump’s Labor Secretary nominee, and the economic impact of tariffs and mass deportation on Bloomberg’s The…

Jan. 16, 2025 | Bloomberg the Close
AI sandbox generates new solutions, talent pipeline in Massachusetts

MA Secretary of Technology and Security Services Jason Snyder discusses the success of the AI for Impact Program and the Sandbox project.

Jan. 08, 2025 | StateScoop
Northeastern at the forefront of Massachusetts’ AI-driven economic growth, governor says in announcing AI Hub

The AI for Impact co-ops at Northeastern are revolutionizing Massachusetts’ future. Students have developed tools like an AI chatbot for MBTA, enhancing state services and…

Dec. 19, 2024 | Cyrus Moulton | Northeastern Global News

Project Gallery

A-IEP

Assisting low-literacy and immigrant families the ability to translate, summarize, and ask questions about Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for children with disabilities.

Partner: Innovate Public Schools/AI-EP

Watch the final presentation

CivicConnect

Using AI to improve how members of Congress communicate with constituents.

Partner: PopVox Foundation/The GovLab

ACHelper

An AI-enabled chatbot to guide families through the process of enrolling in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program that enables low-income households to save on the purchase of a computer and Internet access.

Partner: Fair Count

PolicySynth

Using AI to make it easier to create well-researched online engagements. This national engagement asks families to identify why we are struggling to teach kids to read in the United States.

Partner: Museum of Science, Citizens Foundation

The RIDE Guide AI

Paratransit helps 44,000 residents obtain access to work, healthcare, and community. This tool helps serve them faster and more accurately.

Partner: MBTA – The Ride

Watch the final presentation

MassHealth Helper

Assisting residents to obtain health insurance, this chatbot gives public professionals efficient access to comprehensive information to speed their responses to the public.

Partner: MassHealth

Watch the final presentation

The Grants Navigator

Giving farmers, businesses, and communities faster and easier access to a wide array of grant opportunities.

Partner: Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

Watch the final presentation

DOTBot

Making some of the nation’s busiest highways safer by supporting MssDOT design engineers with a chatbot for efficient information retrieval.

Partner: Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)

Watch the final presentation

GENIE (Generative AI Experimentation and Innovation Environment)

Providing state government employees with a secure environment to explore and innovate with AI models, ensuring data privacy and simplicity.

Partner: Executive Office of Technology Services and Security

ACHelper

Inefficiencies and complexities in the application process for Internet Connectivity Benefits hinders access to essential digital services for eligible individuals

Partner: Fair Count

MATCH (Massachusetts Academics to Careers Helper)

An ai-driven platform that mines and aggregates publicly available program offerings and course catalog information from the Commonwealth’s 24 community colleges and state universities.

Partner: Massachusetts AI Collaboration for Higher Education (MACH)

ABE (Assistive Buyer Agent)

Increasing diversity and competitiveness and creating jobs by helping Massachusetts businesses navigate state procurement.

Partner: Operational Services Division (OSD)

BEACON (Business Enhancement and Assistance Center for Optimized Navigation)

Helping Massachusetts residents grow their businesses and create jobs by making it easier to find state grants, incentives, and opportunities.

Partner: Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED)

Build for Mass

Assisting Massachusetts municipalities, environmental justice groups, rural towns, and historically-underserved communities to apply for state grant, grant-matching, and tax-break opportunities.

Partner: Executive Office of Administration and Finance

A Healthier Democracy AI

Helping low-income Massachusetts residents apply for $80 billion dollars of unclaimed Federal Aid benefits in a healthcare setting.

Partner: Link Health