Silicon Valley Seniors Get a Crash Course in AI — From Teen Teachers

In the heart of Silicon Valley, a group of high school students is helping senior citizens learn the language of artificial intelligence. Led by 17-year-old Jacob Shaul, the nonprofit Mode to Code offers free AI and coding classes across the Bay Area — including at assisted-living facilities where seniors are eager to bridge the digital divide.

Shaul launched the initiative in 2024 after teaching himself to code. What began as a one-man project at his former middle school has grown into a 16-member team providing lessons at more than 30 institutions worldwide. Since March, the program has expanded to include weekly workshops at senior homes, teaching practical skills like AI basics, email setup, and online safety.

Participants say the classes have given them new confidence — and tools to navigate the modern tech world. One student, Ed Kaplan, even used ChatGPT to help a grieving friend write an obituary. Others credit the sessions with helping them avoid scams, a growing issue for older Americans.

For Shaul, the mission is simple: to make technology empowering for everyone — no matter their age.