January 2024

Progress Newsletter

Creating Local Leaders In the Emerging AI Ecosystem

By James Higa, Executive Director of PVF

You’ve no doubt read countless articles about AI and ChatGPT by now. We believe that AI will be one of the most transformative developments of our generation. But it will also be one of the most fast-moving changes to a very different ‘new normal’.


If you don’t know Marily Nika you should. She is an AI Product Lead @ Meta and formerly Google, a fellow at Harvard and a TED speaker; an all star with a big heart. She is the founder of AI Product Academy. PVF is honored to support this initiative through a grant. AI Product Academy will offer scholarships to the AI product management bootcamps for groups such as refugees and under-represented communities.


This is such a timely idea. AI will be one of the most transformative changes the world has seen. We are inspired by Marily’s idea to create leaders in the emerging AI ecosystem from communities that are often the last to find out about these tectonic shifts. With AI Product Academy, they will not be left behind and will be among the first to see these opportunities. 


If you are interested in a scholarship to the AI Product Academy, you can apply here. It’s a quick 4 minute application and up to 50 scholarships will be available for free access to the class beginning on March 4. 


We at PVF continue to be at the forefront and proud to be the first to find and fund initiatives like this.

A Transformative Experience

The Technology, Engineering and Design Thinking (TED) Program opened last school year to teachers looking to enhance their students STEM/STEAM learning in the form of hands-on projects, classroom resources, curriculum supports, guest subject experts and professional development.


As a new program, we welcome innovative and creative requests, but it can be hard to come up with project ideas from scratch! Below are examples of how teachers have used this grant so far to get you thinking:

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About the Editors
James Higa

James Higa, Executive Director, brings 28 years of executive experience from Silicon Valley, working with Steve Jobs to change the face of technology. He was at the birth of the personal computer revolution as a member of the original Macintosh team and was deeply involved in the creation of many products and services at Apple over 3 decades. He has a long history of public service as a board member of Stanford's Haas Center and in grassroots relief efforts.

About PVF
PVF is a demonstration foundation practicing unique forms of grantmaking
and innovative philanthropy. Our primary interest is in the creative
and significant use of the philanthropic dollar.
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation's website: www.venturesfoundation.org
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation | 1222 Preservation Park Way, Oakland, CA 94612 info@venturesfoundation.org | (510) 645-1890
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