Preparing the next generation

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how businesses operate, but many small employers in North Central Washington are unsure how to begin exploring its potential. NCW Tech Alliance created the AI Youth Corps, with support from Microsoft, to meet this need while also preparing young people for the future of work. The program is intentionally designed to multi-solve both AI readiness for local businesses and AI skilling for students, creating a development model that strengthens the region’s competitiveness and supports long-term economic resilience.

The AI Youth Corps brings this strategy to life by connecting student learning with real business needs. Students begin with an AI literacy boot camp that introduces core concepts, responsible use practices, and workflow analysis. They then apply these skills in partnership with local employers who are interested in exploring how AI might improve efficiency, reduce administrative burden, or open new opportunities. This structure gives businesses a supported way to test ideas while giving students meaningful experience with the tools shaping the modern workplace.

A First Run: Eastmont Students Build an Agentic Tool for Public Health

The first pilot project shows the promise of this approach. Two Eastmont High School students, Torrin Stone and Zan Miakinkoff, partnered with the Chelan Douglas Health District to design an agentic solution that improves how the public interacts with information about notifiable conditions. These conditions are cases that healthcare providers are required to report to public health authorities, and the information the district shares plays a critical role in community awareness and response. For the students, seeing the real-world implications of this work made the project both meaningful and urgent.

The pair spent several weeks building and testing an AI agent that could help streamline how users access and understand information about notifiable conditions. They worked through design elements, user interface considerations, and the logic needed for the agent to respond accurately and responsibly. Throughout the process, they presented their progress to the Health District, received feedback, and iterated on their design. This gave them firsthand experience with project management, user-centered design, security considerations, liability questions, and the many decisions involved in developing technology for a specific public function.

For the Health District, the project offered a glimpse into how AI could support more timely access to critical information, which can ultimately improve public health outcomes. For the students, it resulted in a portfolio-ready project they can include in future college and career applications, along with new professional references and a deeper understanding of how technology is built and deployed in real settings. The experience demonstrated that rural students can contribute meaningfully to emerging technology fields when given the right structure and support.

Meeting Local Needs in a Time of Rapid Change

Across North Central Washington, industries from agriculture to healthcare to advanced manufacturing are navigating rapid technological change. Many small businesses are interested in exploring AI but lack the time, expertise, or capacity to experiment. At the same time, employers across sectors are seeking workers who understand digital tools, can analyze workflows, and are comfortable adapting to new technologies.

The AI Youth Corps responds to both needs. The program gives businesses a low-risk way to explore AI opportunities with structured support. It also gives students hands-on experience with real challenges, preparing them for future careers in a labor market that increasingly values digital fluency and problem solving.

Support from Microsoft reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that rural communities are not left behind as AI adoption accelerates. By investing in both youth and local businesses, the program strengthens the region’s capacity to innovate and positions North Central Washington to benefit from the next wave of technological advancement.

A Scalable Model for Rural Innovation

In 2026, NCW Tech Alliance and the Apple STEM Network will expand the AI Youth Corps to work with 20 students this spring in partnership with three local school districts. Students participating in the program will receive instruction and support including:

• AI Literacy Boot Camp that provides foundational training in AI concepts, ethics, prompt design, and workflow analysis  
• Business partnerships that pair student teams with small businesses to explore operational challenges and identify AI use cases  
• Use case development sessions where students prototype solutions and present recommendations to business leaders  
• An invitation to participate in a Youth AI Use Case Showcase in August that recognizes creativity, feasibility, and community impact  

This structure reflects a regional strategy focused on building a strong talent pipeline, supporting small business competitiveness, and ensuring that rural communities have the tools they need to thrive in an AI driven economy.

As the program grows, NCW Tech Alliance aims to center it around the real challenges and opportunities facing local employers. Businesses and community organizations that want to explore AI with student teams this spring are encouraged to connect with NCW Tech Alliance. Student applications open in March 2026, creating a timely opportunity to shape meaningful projects that benefit both students and the region’s economy.