An AI-Native Gamechanger

Stemuli has pioneered yet another educational innovation: the world's first AI-native learning platform!

And students get to learn AI literacy, problem-solving and math skills for their roles in a future economy, through a new video game called Founder Tycoon.

Dallas-based educational technology company Stemuli, which started in 2016, created the first game-based learning metaverse in the United States. The goal: to engage and provide opportunity for all students--particularly those in underserved areas--to prepare for their dream jobs.

Stemuli Founder and CEO Taylor Shead continues to expand those opportunities for engagement and success, through new ideas and applications..

In Founder Tycoon, students create a business based on a need they've seen and researched. Then, as entrepreneurs, they run that company, in a live economy. They'll create products and make real decisions, with AI assistants carrying out their directions. These actions have consequences, as each "entrepreneur" competes with others for resources and a finite number of clients.

Taylor explains that the new game came about through a collaboration with nonprofit Heartland Forward, with the goal of preparing students across rural Arkansas for future careers in an AI economy. The design process involved collaboration with a group of about 50 students, over, as Taylor says, "18 to 24 months".

2026 saw the rollout of the game in 13 high schools across rural Arkansas, as well as a launch in Cleveland during the summer.

"And then we're expanding to Oklahoma," Taylor says, "and we have a list of about eighteen other states out there...that we want to hit, and make sure have access to Founder Tycoon."

Even more is coming--including a launch of algebra-related Founder Math by LAUSD and possibly, a version of Founder Tycoon for adults, in 2027!

Taylor talked about her recent experiences with Stemuli, shared the story of creating Founder Tycoon, and offered a closer look at what participants get to learn and do.