RAISE-UP Youth Competitions

Program Overview

AI is going to change everything in our future. RAISE-UP urgently proposes to empower young people to educate others and to help shape public support for AI development goals that ensure emerging systems create opportunities for everyone to flourish.

It is proposed that competitive RAISE-UP youth teams be established at high schools and universities to channel the energy, creativity, and moral imagination of young people toward educating the public about artificial intelligence—and how it can be shaped to promote love, dignity, and human flourishing. Through this work, students would be empowered to speak clearly and directly about the future they want to see, as outlined in The American Dream Pledge, calling for safe AI development goals that prioritize the foundations of human flourishing for all people, including meaningful work and opportunity, and access to healthcare, education, and housing.

RAISE-UP is grounded in the belief that our economic and technological systems should be oriented toward raising all people up and ensuring that everyone has the foundations needed to truly flourish.

At the high school and university levels, RAISE-UP would function similarly to a sports program, but with a higher civic and ethical purpose. Instead of advancing a ball down the field, teams advance a people-centered vision of AI and a future that works for everyone. Ironically, the FIRST Robotics Competition offers a powerful model of what is possible, showing how youth-centered competitions can catalyze real, significant, and sustained change. Beginning in 2026, early competitions would focus on The American Dream Pledge, which like the Rome Call for AI Ethics aimed primarily at commercial entities, provides an ethical framework while also educating parish communities about artificial intelligence and its relationship to faith, ethics, and human dignity.

RAISE-UP teams would compete in structured challenges to create high-quality, culture-shaping content—such as short videos, explainers, campaigns, debates, and digital storytelling—designed to educate peers, communities, and the broader public about AI’s opportunities, risks, and ethical implications. Through this work, students would develop AI literacy, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership, and media production skills, while contributing meaningfully to the public good.

Phased Launch Approach

The RAISE-UP program is proposed to launch in phases to ensure thoughtful development, institutional trust, and long-term scalability.

Phase 1 – Pilot and Formation

Launch at Catholic high schools, colleges, universities, and parishes
Focus on curriculum development, competition design, governance, and safeguards
Align the program with Christian social teaching, particularly principles of love, human dignity, and flourishing, and share the work the Vatican has done on artificial intelligence

Phase 2 – Expansion

Expand participation to all interested high schools, colleges, and universities
Maintain a focus on love and flourishing, values shared across most major religious and ethical traditions
Operate as a secular program, with optional guidance and content tailored for specific religious or community contexts
Focus student-produced content on how AI can be used to promote human dignity, the common good, and solidarity
Build regional and national competitions, partnerships, and media platforms

Through this expansion, RAISE-UP would be established as a widely recognized youth movement advancing a people-centered future for artificial intelligence.