InnovateUS 
Each week, we're spotlighting how public servants are putting the ideas from our new course, Designing Democratic Engagement with AI(opens in new window) into practice.
Together, the series moves module by module through the course, showing what defining goals, choosing methods, or using AI responsibly actually looks like on the ground.
Haven't taken the course yet? It's free and self-paced: sign up here(opens in new window).
[Joanna French] The AI for Impact AI-EP project shows how participant selection shapes outcomes. We are co-designing an AI tool to help families in California understand and engage with their children’s individualized education plans, or IEPs, which are often long, technical, and difficult to access—especially for non-English-speaking parents and families.
The platform uses AI to translate, simplify, and summarize these documents. From the start, parents and caregivers were not just users but co-designers, involved through leadership roles, focus groups, and testing.
More than 200 families participated in the first pilot in San Francisco, reporting greater confidence and a stronger ability to advocate for their children.
By clearly identifying and empowering the right participants, the project ensured the tool reflects the needs of the communities it is designed to serve.