About EthmirAIcle Lab
EthmirAIcle Lab wasn't founded because AI became popular. It was founded because two technology professionals who are also parents asked themselves, "What kind of AI education would we want for our own children?"
Inspired by Family. Built for the Future.
EthmirAIcle Lab was inspired by our children, Ethan and Mila. As parents, we realized they would grow up in a world fundamentally different from the one we grew up in — a world where AI would become part of how they learn, create, communicate, and make decisions.
As scientists and engineers, we also witness firsthand how AI is transforming the way people solve problems and create new ideas. It can amplify human creativity and productivity like never before.
But powerful technology also demands something equally important: good judgment.
Because the future isn't just about using AI. It's about understanding it, questioning it, and using it responsibly.
Children need more than AI skills. They need AI literacy. That belief became the foundation of EthmirAIcle Lab.
Built by Educators and Technology Professionals
Great AI education requires more than technical expertise. It requires understanding how children learn.
Our curriculum is developed by a multidisciplinary team that brings together:
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Experienced elementary educators
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AI researchers and technology professionals
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University students studying AI and computer science
Together, we combine educational best practices with real-world AI experience to create engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences. Every lesson is instructor-led, project-based, and designed to help students build confidence while developing meaningful technical and thinking skills.
Growing Together with Schools
We're proud to partner with schools and community organizations across the Austin area to bring AI literacy education to elementary and middle school students.
Our enrichment programs began in Eanes ISD and continue to expand to additional elementary and middle school campuses.
As we grow, we remain committed to delivering thoughtful, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences that earn the trust of schools, educators, and families.
Our Approach
•Student-centered: Learning designed for different ages, interests, and skill levels.
•Experience-driven: Built on years of AI industry and education expertise.
•Future-focused: Teaching not just AI tools, but the thinking behind them — creativity, logic, ethics, and problem-solving.
Our Mission
To make AI education engaging, age-appropriate, and accessible by offering consulting, curriculum design, and innovative learning experiences for youth programs, schools, enrichment centers, and families.
Meet Our Founders
Dr. Xi (Cathy) Kan
AI Scientist • Educator • Mom
Dr. Cathy Kan has spent more than a decade working in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models. She earned her Ph.D. in Decision Sciences & Engineering Systems from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has developed AI solutions across research and industry.
Alongside her technical career, Cathy has dedicated herself to making AI meaningful and accessible for young learners. She has taught AI enrichment programs in Eanes ISD, led hands-on AI workshops for Girlstart, and developed engaging learning experiences for K–12 students.
As both an AI scientist and a mother, Cathy believes children deserve more than exposure to technology. They deserve the opportunity to understand it, question it, and use it with confidence. That belief continues to guide everything we do at EthmirAIcle Lab.
Dr. Fangxu Dong
Principal Engineer • Technology Leader • Dad
Dr. Fangxu Dong is a Principal Engineer with more than a decade of experience developing advanced technologies and leading engineering innovation in the opto-electronics industry. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is passionate about applying engineering thinking to solve complex real-world problems.
As both an engineer and a father, Fangxu believes the next generation will need more than technical skills to thrive in an AI-powered world. They will need curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to work effectively with AI.
At EthmirAIcle Lab, he helps shape the curriculum and long-term vision, ensuring that students not only learn today's AI technologies but also develop the thinking skills that will remain valuable throughout their lives.
Coaching Team
Larey Smith
Senior Lecturer, Marketing
Louise
Assistant Professor, Economics
Piter
Senior Lecturer, Science
Brian
Senior Lecturer, Marketing
