Ohio sophomore wins AI leadership award for nonprofit helping seniors with tech
Hannah Joseph, a high school sophomore, won the 2026 AI Next Generation Award for her nonprofit, Seniors Go Digital, which teaches older adults how to use technology and AI tools. She is the first teenager to receive a Cincinnati AI Leadership Award.
Why it matters
The story highlights the growing role of youth-led initiatives in bridging the digital divide and the increasing accessibility of AI education for non-technical demographics.
Hannah Joseph, a sophomore at Indian Hill High School in Ohio, has won the 2026 AI Next Generation Award after pitching her nonprofit, Seniors Go Digital, at Cincy AI Week, Village Press reported. She stood out among hundreds of professionals.Since launching in June 2025, Seniors Go Digital has taught hundereds of older adults how to use smartphones, stay safe online and even understand basic AI tools, with help from over 20 student volunteers.Joseph attended Cincy AI Week through Indian Hill Experienceships, a programme that connects students with real-world learning opportunities. The programme operates within the Indian Hill Entrepreneurs’ Center. She took part through the school district's partnership with Cincinnati AI Catalyst, which gave her an opportunity to learn alongside professionals working with artificial intelligence.For Joseph, however, the experience was about more than learning about AI.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in