Artificial intelligence is often discussed in the context of global industries and tech giants, but its most meaningful impact can emerge in local communities, where real problems meet the creativity of young people.
Pathway Infinity, a new AI-powered tool developed in partnership with 12Plus, is one of those powerful examples. 12Plus is a nonprofit that works with high schools to help students identify and access postsecondary opportunities through personalized advising and hands-on support.
Created by Mohammad “Mo” Souare, a Launchpad graduate and former 12Plus student, Pathway Infinity is designed to help young people quickly and equitably identify postsecondary programs that fit their goals. Mo’s tool shows what happens when technology is shaped by purpose and when young people are trusted to lead.
From Student to Innovator
Mo’s story with 12Plus began the way many do, with questions about what comes after high school. As a student at Belmont Charter High School, he was eager to find a pathway that reflected his interests and goals, even if that path did not lead to a traditional four-year college. He wanted to explore trade schools and hands-on career programs that could open meaningful opportunities for his future.
He worked closely with his advisor from 12Plus, Abigail Bautista, Director of Data and Research, to navigate a maze of options and discover Launchpad, a pathway that matched his interests and opened the door to new opportunities. That experience gave him clarity about his own next steps and opened his eyes to how difficult the process could be for other students trying to find the right fit.
Just a year out of high school, Mo decided he wanted to return to 12Plus, this time not as a student but as a creator and problem-solver. He had experienced firsthand how time-consuming it was to research trade programs and match them to student interests. He wondered: Could technology make this process easier for the next generation of students?
A Problem Meets a Builder
When Mo began exploring the idea of building a solution with 12Plus, he reconnected with Abigail, who immediately saw the potential. “It was a challenge to sift through all of this information to find specific matches that could get me started,” Mo remembered. That shared challenge became the foundation for collaboration.
12Plus had already developed a curated internal database of postsecondary programs, trade schools, and training opportunities. The list included detailed information such as program length, requirements, and entry criteria, all gathered by the 12Plus team to help advisors guide students more effectively. While the data was incredibly valuable, it was designed primarily for staff use and not easily accessible to students.
Working closely with Abigail and the 12Plus data team, Mo set out to change that. He used this internal dataset to train and power an AI-assisted tool that could quickly match students with programs that aligned with their interests, goals, and qualifications. The result was Pathway Infinity, a simple, student-facing platform that transformed 12Plus’s advisor resources into an easy-to-use digital guide.
The tool did more than make information easier to access. It introduced a new way for 12Plus to think about how technology could help expand opportunity for every student, while still preserving the personal relationships that sit at the heart of their work.
A Student Built Solution
What began as a prototype quickly became a fully functional platform. “I thought it would just be an MVP,” said Ernest Tam, Chief Operating Officer at 12Plus, “but I was shocked when we got a real product, something we could start using right away.”
Mo’s combination of durable skills and technical expertise set him apart from the start. Ernest explained that Mo’s work reflected not only strong technical ability, but also curiosity, empathy, and a deep understanding of the problem he was trying to solve. “He didn’t just build a tool. He took the time to deeply understand the challenge, asked thoughtful questions, and collaborated with us to design a solution that truly met our needs,” Ernest said.
Pathway Infinity is now being tested at one of 12Plus’s partner schools, where students are using it to identify trade school programs that fit their goals. The early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Students appreciate its simplicity, speed, and focus on trade pathways, an often-overlooked but vital part of the postsecondary landscape.
Full Circle: A Student Becomes A Creator
Mo’s journey represents the best of what’s possible when young people are empowered to use technology to solve problems that matter to them. As he put it:
“I wanted to make sure young people can access trade schools that fit them and their interests as quickly and efficiently as possible. Because I had the experience as a former student, I was able to create something meaningful for students like myself. This project was also my first chance to work as a contractor. I’m excited to do more. It builds my confidence as a developer and lets me help solve problems for young people like me.”
For 12Plus and Pathway Infinity, this collaboration wasn’t just a win for innovation. It was a reminder that young people aren’t just future leaders; they’re leading now.
The Future of Equity Is Collaborative
Pathway Infinity is more than an AI solution; it is a blueprint for what’s possible when community-rooted innovation meets purpose. Mo’s story captures the promise of a new generation, one that combines lived experience with digital fluency, empathy with innovation.
When given the chance, young people can build tools that don’t just close gaps; they redefine access itself. Pathway Infinity reminds us that equity is not achieved by technology alone but by empowering those who have lived the inequities to design the solutions. The next generation isn’t waiting to inherit the future — they are already building it.
Developers like Mo are actively working on AI driven solutions for local businesses and organizations. Interested in partnering with young innovators to design solutions that matter? Email Christian Kunkel (christian@launchpadphilly.org).
Author
Dannyelle Austin currently serves as the Founding Executive Director of Launchpad. Dannyelle’s extensive experience working with youth has given her renowned expertise in youth development, education, college readiness, workforce training and, most importantly, the integration of trauma-informed methodologies throughout youth development practice. As the Executive Director of Launchpad, Dannyelle will continue to be a transformative leader and her strong belief in the power of innovative solutions will help young people connect with their bright futures.
