Building human connection in an age of AI.
An urgent call to action.
Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy raised the alarm on American loneliness, and urged the country to “prioritize building social connections the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders.”
The data backs up the sense of urgency: In 2021, 25 percent of high schoolers reported that they had considered suicide, while four in 10 said they experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Only 27 percent of American men have at least six close friends — half of what it was 30 years ago.
This crisis of connection comes at the same time artificial intelligence is poised to make things a lot more complicated. From the proliferation of AI “companions” to the sophistication of deep fake technology, the way we connect with ourselves and each other is poised to change dramatically. Now is the time to act and intentionally design the future we want.
The Rithm Project stokes conversation, insight, and action to rethread a sense of human connection for the next generation.
Our Work
The Rithm Project fuels a more connected future by:
1)
We elevate actionable insights from youth-led research about the impact of AI on social connection.
2)
We use those insights to create unforgettable experiences that grow the field and that spark conversation and action across a range of leaders and
3)
We work alongside these leaders to design tools and curriculum that equip young people with the skills and practices to grow human connection.
Join the movement
Join our community via this survey, to make sure you get information about our future events.
Learn alongside us by exploring readings and resources that are pushing our thinking about the intersection of AI and human connection.
Get a window into our gatherings via the recap of our April 2024 Summit.
THE RITHM PROJECT is named to honor what’s possible when humans and technology come together in harmonious ways. It speaks to the rhythm of our heartbeat, the drumbeat of community, and the algorithms we use to train AI into its potential.
The Rithm Project is led by Michelle Culver. She has worked for over 20 years to ensure the next generation thrives, first as a teacher in Compton and most recently leading the Reinvention Lab at Teach For America.
We are grateful to our supporters:
Booz Allen Cares
Cambiar Education
Carson Foundation
Learner Studio
Margulf Foundation
Raikes Foundation
Omidyar Network