The Global Impact Forum Highlights Impact Players and the Path Forward

The Global Impact Forum (TGIF) is an annual event, hosted by Penn State University and GSV, aimed at fostering economic development, social mobility, and positive impact through education and innovation. The second TGIF was hosted in Pittsburgh, November 3-5.  

Penn State AVP Justin Aglio (who also directs the Readiness Institute at Penn State) created TGIF with Michael Moe, GSV to focus on the future of learning, work, and artificial intelligence. (Justin Aglio talks about the Readiness Institute in this 2023 podcast.)

The Readiness Institute has hosted the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp for 5 years. In the closing session at TGIF, Mark Cuban acknowledged the early leadership on AI literacy by proclaiming, “Justin is officially the Godfather of AI for Kids across America.”

The room reacted—but not because of the label. What resonated was the recognition that AI literacy has become a national priority and that communities across the country are collaborating to make it accessible for all learners.

The AI Bootcamp success is driven by the talented team including Chief Learning Officer Charlotte Dungan and Lauren Ronse, Director of Partnerships. The Bootcamps grew into one of the nation’s largest free AI learning ecosystems because communities showed up together to support students.  Today, MCF AI Bootcamps in 50+ cities offer learners authentic, confidence-building experiences that make AI both understandable and empowering.

Early Opportunity Recognition

Justin spotted the AI opportunity early. A 2017 Microsoft AI commercial featuring the actor and artist Common sparked a family conversation. His children told him they were aware of how AI was shaping thier media consumption: 

• “YouTube recommends our videos.”
• “Google Home knows our voices.”
• “My video game gets harder when I get better.”

Their answers reflected a generation already immersed in AI systems without formal instruction. When the same question was later posed to a group of middle schoolers, their answers were nearly identical. AI wasn’t abstract or intimidating to them. It was simply part of the environment they were growing up in.

As a district leader in Montour School District, Justin piloted the first public school AI program in 2018. Justin was a regular contributor to the Getting Smart Ask About AI campaign and we spoke together at conferences in 2018 and 2019 about the coming wave of AI in education.   

Expanding the Ecosystem: From Youth AI Literacy to All-Ages Impact

TGIF brings together leaders from education, technology, entrepreneurship, and workforce development with a shared mission: aimed at fostering economic development, social mobility, and positive impact through education and innovation. University partner including Pitt, Penn, Carnegie Mellon, and Stanford where highlighted. Foundation sponsors included Grable and ASA. Corporate partners and sponsors included IBM, Exus, Magic School and Cranium AI. 

TGIF is part of Explore: Pittsburgh Tech Week, a citywide celebration of innovation, AI, and robotics presented by Google and Citizens.

Why Cuban’s Words Resonated

Mark Cuban’s comment wasn’t a coronation. It was a reflection of a growing, shared understanding: AI literacy is becoming a civic literacy. Understanding AI is now essential for participation, opportunity, and belonging. His observation recognized the collective work of: teachers, mentors, parents, community partners, workforce innovators, researchers, and students themselves. The movement toward AI literacy is distributed, collaborative, and growing.

The TGIF and AI Bootcamp lessons for schools and communities include: 

• Introduce AI literacy in the early grades
• Teach ethics, fairness, and responsible use
• Partner with employers and nonprofits
• Provide hands-on, real-world learning and AI for good opporutnities 
• Support adult reskilling and workforce pathways
• Design for equity from the start

These steps don’t require perfection—only intentional collaboration. And, communities across the country are stepping forward to lead—together.