Google.org funds $240K “AI in the D” training program for Detroit seniors

The Chapman Family Foundation, Google.org, and the City of Detroit have launched “AI in the D,” a groundbreaking artificial intelligence literacy program specifically designed for senior citizens. The initiative represents the first program of its kind focused on teaching older adults practical AI applications, building on a successful summer workshop that introduced Detroit high school students to AI entrepreneurship.

What you should know: More than 70 Detroit seniors will participate in a half-day workshop on September 23, 2025, at Kemeny Recreation Center, receiving hands-on AI training tailored to their daily needs.

• Attendees will learn how to use AI for spotting and preventing online scams, managing finances, and navigating aging-related challenges.
• The program includes hands-on guidance and printed take-home resources to ensure participants can continue applying what they learn.
• Participation and transportation are provided free of charge for Detroit seniors.

The big picture: This expansion addresses the growing digital divide that leaves older adults behind as AI technology rapidly advances across society.

• The summer pilot program successfully engaged over 100 Detroit high school students in a day-long workshop focused on using AI to start businesses.
• Google.org, the philanthropic division of Google, awarded the Chapman Family Foundation a $240,000 grant to support the senior-focused program expansion.

Why this matters: The initiative tackles a critical gap in AI accessibility, ensuring that technological advances benefit all community members rather than widening existing inequalities.

• “Without focused outreach and accessible education, Detroit seniors risk being excluded from innovations that could directly improve their lives,” said Tamira Chapman, founder of the Chapman Family Foundation.
• The program aims to create a replicable model for other communities nationwide, with Google.org and the Chapman Family Foundation working to build a playbook for national expansion.

Who else is involved: Google.org brings significant resources and experience to the partnership, having invested more than $10 million in Michigan nonprofits since 2006.

• “At Google.org, we’re committed to supporting communities that are often overlooked in the AI conversation,” said Winton Steward, head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for the Midwest at Google.
• The City of Detroit serves as a key partner in facilitating community access and venue support.

What they’re saying: Program leaders emphasize the importance of inclusive AI education that reaches underserved populations.

• “AI in the D is our commitment to ensuring that Detroiters of all ages get to be part of the AI revolution,” Chapman explained.
• “We’re proud to back the Chapman Family Foundation’s vision and to see how Detroit seniors can use AI tools to enhance their everyday lives,” Steward added.