Meet Me in the Middle: How Can AI Create a Thriving Middle Class?

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Rachel Janfaza, Founder of The Up and Up and Up and Up Strategies; Robin Lake, Director at CRPE-ASU; Jeff Livingston, CEO and Founder of EdSolutions and CEMD; and Alex Swartsel, Managing Director of Insights at JFFLabs, Jobs for the Future. The conversation was moderated by Korah Wiley, Director of Solutions Strategy & Innovation at Digital Promise.

The panel explored how artificial intelligence is expanding access to education, financial support, and essential services—particularly for communities historically marginalized by traditional systems. From AI tools that help families navigate public benefits to financial guidance platforms that promote economic mobility, panelists shared real-world innovations with the power to drive equity and inclusion. The discussion also examined critical questions around access, bias, and accountability, emphasizing how AI can serve as a force for empowerment when developed and deployed responsibly.