So, we did it! After lots of hard work, planning, details, we convened an amazing group of students and professionals to beta test our prototype for the Inner Strength AI Platform.
The experience was special.
It was a packed day. Meditation, centering in a calm steady heart-space to fueling ourselves with a delicious spread to inspiration from amazing thought leaders, to live beta testing (with all the issues that brings) to small group discussions where the young people and the not-so-young people explored AI, the future, school, pressure, life, dreams, mentorship.
We now have pages of notes with actionable input for the AI. (Some of it has already been built!) And most of all there is a larger community of people who are invested and feel like this is their tool to made as great as possible. What could be better?
Young Testers Have the Patience & Problem Solving Mind It Takes
What stood out most was the clarity and insight from students. They spoke openly about what they are navigating, what is missing, and what real support could look like in their daily lives. They are co-creators, and their voices are thoughtful, serious, authentic, and really clever! They were also amazingly calm and patient. When the server hosting the AI balked at too many people connecting from the same IP address, they began to trouble-shoot with our tech partners who got on Zoom from Austin and LA to help. “We can each use our hotspots!” One of them suggested. Or pivot to their wishlist while the platform came back online. No stress, no frustration, no panic. They’ve learned a lot from our work together.
We were grateful for who showed up and how. Educators, program partners, business leaders, and board members came together in the same room with a shared sense of purpose, each bringing their own perspective, each listening with curiosity and care. There was real engagement around a question that matters: how do we build something that actually serves young people, and how do we bring it to scale in a way that creates lasting change? That convergence of intention felt like exactly what this moment calls for.
Inspiration & Input from an Illustrious Crew (see bios here)
People really want to see the next generation thrive — and they like a challenge. To boldly go where no one is going yet…. And to prepare the crew (the next gen) to steer the ship wisely.
Patrick Beatty, VC and all around renaissance human with such a warm heart (Beyond Earth Ventures) spent a half hour inspiring the students with the injunction to follow their passion and they will succeed. He coached, “Don’t let other people’s expectations, grades, or pressure dictate what you do. Pursue what you love, pivot when you no longer love it.” I did remind the students when they repeat what he said to their parents, to contextualize it 🙂 Patrick answered their many questions with his insights and deep experience at the leading edge of space innovation, technology, mathematics, and his fun side. One young woman said, “That’s the best advice anyone’s ever given me. I feel so much lighter!”
Scott Sill, former faculty at Wharton Executive MBA , VC, entrepreneur, and business advisor, and dear friend of Inner Strength’s brought his expertise to the not-so young folks. In this session, he explored with a panel of our guests unpacking the issues facing students, why an AI Platform like Inner Strength’s is so needed, and how we can bring the right people to the table to help make this move from a possibility to a full blown reality. As his session progressed, people started to get a more real sense of the urgency, the potential, and even ideas about who to bring to the table.
Eli Wiseman, a very humble and incredibly gifted and experienced AI, VR, XR large product designer talked about how he and Amy designed the “Constitution” for our platform, to bake in safety, health, education, conscience and sensitivity around building a supportive tool that does not pretend to be human. People got a sense of the unusual caliber of the people pouring their expertise and heart into this because they believe in it. We are so grateful!
Throughout the day, something kept surfacing: 1) This is needed. 2) This is possible. The Inner Strength AI Platform is more than a wellness app. More than a mindfulness tool. It is a platform designed to help teens and emerging adults cultivate the inner strength and outer stability that enables them to grow into wise, creative, curious, and caring people. To guide self-discovery. To build the skills to connect with others. To replace soul-suffocating boredom and disconnection with authentic experiences of learning, meaning, and growth.
What emerged from the day was valuable feedback, real momentum, and a community of people who are now invested in seeing this become what it can be.
We are carrying that energy forward. This is just the beginning. We can’t wait to share this with you. (Give us a little time to incorporate this first phase of feedback!)
Thank you, as always, for being part of this work.
If you have any suggestions and would like to learn more, please reach out.
