Paul English, a tech entrepreneur and Boston Latin School alum, is making a significant impact on Boston Public Schools (BPS) with a $1 million donation. This initiative aims to train 25 teachers in artificial intelligence (AI) this summer, with the goal of improving student proficiency in AI. English's interest in AI education began when Boston magazine asked prominent local leaders about their vision for the city. He proposed ensuring every BPS graduate is proficient in AI, an idea that resonated with colleagues in the tech industry. This led to a collaboration with Mayor Michelle Wu, Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper, and UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. The project will involve developing a curriculum at UMass Boston, where English founded an AI center, and establishing an advisory board of industry experts. English is also seeking computing resources from OpenAI and Anthropic to support the initiative. This donation is part of English's commitment to giving back to the community where he grew up, having made his fortune through the sale of travel firm Kayak to Booking Holdings in 2013. While a million-dollar donation is significant, English emphasizes its impact on attracting attention and opening doors, a strategy that has proven successful in his previous endeavors with former Mayor Marty Walsh. This initiative is a testament to English's belief in the power of technology to shape the future of education and his dedication to making a positive impact on Boston's youth.
