What do we do?
Our mission is to raise AI literacy statewide. Our strategy is simple yet effective: we educate teachers, who then teach students, who in turn share this knowledge with their families and communities.
Why do we do this?
The simple answer is that in an AI-driven world, AI literacy is critical. AI is increasingly shaping society, work and culture. It offers pathways to better jobs, business growth, efficiencies, research, and invention. It can also bring about harmful and dangerous results, as evidenced by unintended consequences we have witnessed.. Our aim is to help our youth seize the opportunities, grapple with the challenges, and contribute to shaping how we handle this fast-moving technology.
Our team
aiVermont is working at the forefront of educational leadership and innovation, with a collective history that includes six successful AI events attended by hundreds of participants over the past two years, a decade of pioneering K-12 STEAM programming through Burlington’s Generator makerspace, and nearly forty years of award-winning pre-K to college teaching, administration, and professional development.
Chris Thompson
Co-Director
Denise Shekerjian
Co-Director
Marc Natanagara
Facilitator and K-12 Educator
aiVermont in the Media
Seven Days October 23, 2024 - Schools Grapple With Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning
WCAX June 27, 2024 - Vermont teachers gather for AI education summit
VPR June 25, 2024 - Vermont Edition: The use of AI in Vermont’s classrooms
Dr. Natanagara’s 2023 TEDx re Human vs. Artifical Intelligence and Learning
Advisory Board
Katharine Shepherd
Dean of the College of Education & Social Services University of Vermont
Josiah Raiche
Director of AI
State of Vermont
Michael Metz
Board Trustee
Champlain College and
Vermont Academy of Science & Engineering
Veronica Newton
Senior Director Programs & Partnerships Generator
Formerly, Program Manager
Vermont Agency of Education
Dan Harvey
Director of Operations
University of Vermont
Office of the VP of Research
Laurel Butler
Startup Business Advisor & Student/Educator Entrepreneur Specialist
Vermont Small Business Development Center
Laurie Quinn
President of
The Stern Center for Language and Learning
Formerly, President of
Champlain College
Ron Yara
Formerly, General Partner
Tallwood Venture Capital, Sonic Blue, Intel
Michelle LaFrancis
Work Based Learning Coordinator
Spaulding High School, Barre
