The October 17, 2025, meeting of the KC Coalition for Digital Inclusion focused on the transformative impact of AI and the urgent need to prevent the creation of an “AI underclass” among vulnerable populations. The session featured four organizations working to introduce AI into the early stages of digital skills journeys, offering marketable job skills, and addressing the specific needs of older adults.
Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion – October 2025 Recap
The following is a recap summarizing presentations delivered to the Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion on October 17, 2025. Speakers included Carol Meyers with KC Digital Drive, Merve Buehler with Women’s Employment Network, York Wilson with Strategic Workforce Development, Inc., and Tobey Dichter with Generations on Line.
Featured Content: KC Digital Drive & AI for Older Adults
Carol Meyers with KC Digital Drive presented the curriculum in her “AI for the Rest of Us” class, designed primarily for older adults (people over 60). The course helps participants understand what AI is, introduces terminology, and facilitates experimentation with multiple large language models (LLMs) such as Gemini and ChatGPT.
- Smartphone Focus: Recognizing that most students in this demographic possess smartphones rather than computers, the training teaches them how to utilize these programs from their mobile devices and how to stay safe.
- Practical Use Cases: Pointing out equipment that students will primarily run into, including using AI for voice and chat assistance (like “Hey, Siri!”).
- Security: A critical component of the course is educating vulnerable students on how to identify scams involving AI tools and how to spot fake AI photos by looking for infinitesimal details.
Featured Content: Women’s Employment Network (WEN) and Workforce AI Literacy
Merve Buehler with the Women’s Employment Network (WEN) discussed their mission to help women achieve economic independence and their focus on matching clients with necessary skills. Women’s Employment Network addresses digital equity through its comprehensive services, which include the remote and on-demand WEN Anytime program and the 90-minute virtual program options with 24/7 support.
AI for Beginners Course Information
- Overview: WEN recently launched an AI for beginners course, designed for both women and men, covering how to use AI in daily life and specifically for job search tasks like emailing. They feature tools such as Canva and Grammarly.
- Workplace Transition: The goal of the course is to equip clients with the skills needed to use AI in the workplace, ensuring a supported transition from unemployment or a way to level up your current skills.
- Certification and Security: The course includes important lessons on security and protection from scams. Clients who complete the seven core chapters can earn a certification.
Featured Content: Strategic Workforce Development Inc. (SWD) and the AI Futures Lab
York Wilson and Anjou Giri with Strategic Workforce Development, Inc. (SWD) presented their initiative, “The Equity Algorithm,” dedicated to building an inclusive AI workforce. Strategic Workforce Development, Inc. aims to be a bridge of opportunity for all, including veterans, women, and youth, and is actively working to prevent the widening digital divide from creating an “AI underclass.” York described implementing these AI tools as equivalent to equipping individuals with hard hats, glasses, etc., to make them more prepared for what’s to come.
- AI Futures Lab: SWD is developing an AI futures lab to approach the technology revolution equitably from the ground up. This lab emphasizes empowering people through hands-on learning (“Learning by DOING”).
- Career Pathway: The structured curriculum includes AI literacy, use case framing, and hands-on module building, leading to skills-based certification and a clear career path via an apprenticeship program.
- Portfolio Building: Students partner with organizations to solve real company problems, allowing them to build a portfolio of what they can do.
- Wraparound Support: Through their PowerKC initiative (called Empower KC), SWD connects housing stability with workforce needs, recognizing the necessity of a stable foundation for career building.
They are currently looking for community partners interested in this initiative to connect, as well as funding to expand their AI lab to better serve the community. Contact York Wilson at wilson @ strategicwfd dot com.
Featured Content: Generations on Line and Accessible AI Tools
Tobey Dichter, CEO of Generations on Line, a nonprofit helping older adults use technology, introduced their latest initiative, “Discover AI with Generations on Line,” which is a platform for people to learn more about AI and explore safely.
- What is imacomputer.org ? Generations on Line is in late-stage development of a programmed ChatGPT tailored specifically for older people to help them learn AI, and encourages anyone to use it and provide feedback on the experience.
- Empowering Vulnerable Populations: Dichter noted that this tool represents a significant opportunity for vulnerable populations to potentially be “ahead” in AI knowledge, despite the rapid pace of technology.
- Deployment and Support: The program is designed to be easily deployed by agencies (community or 1:1) and includes an AI Skill Checklist and instructions on each screen to make staff training easier. They are currently seeking organizations for six pilots.
Tobey encourages anyone to try out the platform and asks that you provide feedback to her directly at tobeydichter @ gmail dot com.
Community Announcements
The meeting concluded with updates and announcements from coalition members:
- GetHelpKC is happening on Saturday, Nov 8th – share this flyer with your community to help folks get access to online platforms and applications (SNAP, budgeting online, health portal, scholarships, etc. ). For people interested in getting a free computer, Essential Families will host a two-hour workshop on November 8. A total of 20 computers will be available, first come, first served, and pre-registration is required.
- Marisa Martinez provided updates regarding the Federal Reserve Bank’s Digital Access Research Forum last month, which focused on bridging the digital divide along with AI and policy specialists. They conducted pre-forum training specifically for practitioners that covered quantitative and qualifying data, storytelling, and tools. Access the agenda here.
- After reflection, Marisa was curious about what work has been done so far with entities to create internal policies regarding AI use, the policy review process for AI tools used in grant applications, and analyzing how AI may lead to workforce displacement.
The next coalition meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2025.
The October 17 meeting underscored the Coalition’s dedication to tackling the digital divide head-on by prioritizing AI literacy and workforce development programs that are accessible, tailored to specific needs, and focused on equitable opportunity.
Want to get involved?
Visit digitalinclusionkc.org to learn more, sign up for updates, or watch past meetings.