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Beyond the Algorithm

A nonprofit started by college students who believe AI is only as powerful as the people who know how to use it responsibly.

Support the Movement Our Story
10xmore electricity per ChatGPT request vs. Google search
300Mjobs could be lost globally to AI by 2030
11.7%of U.S. jobs already replaceable by AI, MIT 2025
5M galfresh water consumed daily by large data centers
7%global GDP rise projected even as 300M jobs are lost
10xmore electricity per ChatGPT request vs. Google search
300Mjobs could be lost globally to AI by 2030
11.7%of U.S. jobs already replaceable by AI, MIT 2025
5M galfresh water consumed daily by large data centers
7%global GDP rise projected even as 300M jobs are lost
Mission

Beyond the Algorithm was built by college students who grew up alongside the AI revolution. We've watched these technologies reshape education, the workforce, and daily life, and we realized most people are navigating this shift completely unprepared.

The tools are here. They're not going away. What's missing is the knowledge to use them wisely, to know when to trust AI, when to question it, and when to put it down entirely and think for yourself.

Our nonprofit exists to bridge that gap. We educate communities, students, and professionals on how to engage with AI safely, critically, and confidently, so that as AI continues to evolve, people remain in control of their own thinking, decisions, and futures.

Who we are

About Us

We're three college students from Chicago who realized that the most important conversation about AI wasn't happening, the one about how everyday people actually learn to use it well.

The focus is always on what AI can do. Rarely on how to use it without losing your edge, your critical thinking, your creativity, your judgment. We decided to build the resource we wished existed.

Beyond the Algorithm isn't backed by a foundation or a grant. It's a grassroots nonprofit built on the belief that AI literacy is a public good, and that everyone deserves access to it, not just people in tech.

Founded
2026, Chicago IL
Status
Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) application in progress
Focus Areas
AI literacy education · Safe use guidance · Community workshops · Critical thinking
Contact
beyondthealgorithm2026@gmail.com
Our Values
01
Human Judgement Comes First
AI is a tool, not a decision-maker. Critical thinking, moral reasoning, and personal accountability must always stay in human hands.
02
Use It, Don't Lose Yourself to It
AI should amplify what makes you capable, not replace it. We teach people to leverage AI as a collaborator while protecting their own skills and independence.
03
Literacy Is Power
Understanding how AI works, its strengths, its limits, its biases, is one of the most valuable skills of this generation. We make that knowledge accessible to everyone.
04
Know When to Unplug
Safe AI use means knowing when not to use AI. Some decisions, some creative work, and some thinking must remain entirely your own.
05
AI Should Lift People Up
When used responsibly, AI can open doors, helping people learn faster, work smarter, and solve bigger problems. We focus on making that opportunity real and equitable.
06
Transparency is Key
You have the right to understand how AI systems work, what data they use, and when you're interacting with one. Informed users make better decisions.
07
Meet People Where They Are
AI education can't be one-size-fits-all. We bring accessible, practical workshops directly to the communities that need them most, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
08
Critical Thought is Non-Negotiable
AI can generate answers, but it can't replace the act of questioning them. We build a generation that thinks with AI, not instead of it.
09
Equal Access to AI Literacy
The gap between those who understand AI and those who don't is growing fast. We exist to close it, regardless of background, income, or technical experience.
Our Team
3
Chicago-Based Co-Founders
Three college students across DePaul University, UIC, and Lake Forest College who built this from the ground up.
Founded 2026
What we do

Programs & Events

Our work runs on three pillars: AI literacy education, safe use training, and community empowerment. Everything we do is designed to make AI work for people, not the other way around.

01
AI Literacy Workshops
Hands-on sessions for high schoolers, college students, and the general public, covering how AI actually works, how to use it effectively, and how to spot its limitations before they mislead you.
02
Community Events
Locally organized events in Chicago where residents connect, share experiences with AI tools, and learn practical skills for navigating an AI-powered world together.
03
Policy Advocacy
We make sure our community's voice reaches local, state, and federal government. Meaningful regulation starts at home, and we're building the infrastructure to make it happen.
04
Resources & Toolkits
Plain-language guides and research summaries so every person, regardless of technical background, can understand the AI systems shaping their lives.

Workshops Coming Soon, Chicago, IL

Our first AI literacy workshops and community sessions are in the works. Follow us on Instagram @byndthealgorithm or sign up below to be the first to know.

Get Notified
Why This Work Is Urgent, The Numbers
10x
A single ChatGPT request consumes ten times the electricity of a Google search.
International Energy Agency (IEA)
5M gal
Fresh water consumed daily by large data centers, a burden falling hardest on low-income and marginalized communities.
Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)
300M
Jobs globally could be displaced by AI by 2030, even as global GDP rises 7%.
Goldman Sachs (2023)
11.7%
Of all U.S. jobs can already be fully replaced by AI systems, as of 2025.
MIT Project Iceberg (2025)
Join us

Get Involved

Leave your info and we'll reach out when AI literacy workshops, learning events, and volunteer opportunities open up in your area.

Got it, we'll be in touch. Follow us on Instagram in the meantime.

Reach Us Directly

The fastest way to get involved right now is to follow us on Instagram and send a DM. Whether you want to learn, teach, or help build, we want to hear from you.

In
Instagram@byndthealgorithm
 beyondthealgorithm2026@gmail.com
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Based in
Chicago, IL
Serving the greater Chicago area and beyond
Reach out

Contact

Have a question about AI, want to bring a workshop to your school or community, have a partnership idea, or just want to connect? We respond to everything.

Email
beyondthealgorithm2026@gmail.com
Instagram
@byndthealgorithm
Location
Chicago, IL
Donate
GoFundMe Campaign
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