This project was led by Norman Valdez, CEO of BrainTrainr, a nonprofit platform focused on making artificial intelligence education accessible and impactful for equity-deserving communities. With a strong emphasis on human-centered design, BrainTrainr exemplifies how thoughtful digital solutions can empower underrepresented groups and close the skills gap in the age of AI.
1. Vision
BrainTrainr’s design vision is rooted in democratizing AI by eliminating barriers through multilingual, inclusive, and low-cost training. Designed with accessibility in mind, its workshops, presentations, and podcasts support diverse learners, with flexible pricing and installment options. Central to this vision is collaboration with nonprofit partners to co-host events, share resources, and gather feedback, ensuring real-world impact. The platform prioritizes communities such as immigrants, Latinos, women, and racialized groups, using surveys to tailor learning journeys. Originally launched as RankRise Academy, it evolved into BrainTrainr to reflect its broader mission of digital equity and collective empowerment.
2. Functionality
BrainTrainr integrates a range of practical features, including multilingual interfaces and email automation, to support learning and system maintenance. The user experience was designed with intentional simplicity, removing reliance on traditional UI and introducing voice-based interaction for onboarding and navigation. The platform uses newsletters, podcasts, and community events to maintain user engagement across skill levels. By hiring a dedicated product manager, the team ensured that both branding and platform functionality were harmonized. This allows both beginner and advanced users to experience a consistent, intuitive environment that encourages ongoing participation.
3. Brand
The BrainTrainr brand communicates clarity, trust, and professionalism. Consistency across platforms, email signatures, Webflow site, educational materials, and podcasts, has been a key strategic priority. Branding elements such as the AI-infused logo and vibrant color schemes reflect the organization’s humanistic approach to technology. The tone of the content, particularly in emails and events, reinforces the mission of responsible AI and digital empowerment. Valdez emphasizes the role of design in building trust and credibility, particularly in educational tools powered by AI.
4. Environment
BrainTrainr recognizes the environmental implications of AI systems, especially in relation to energy-intensive data centers. While the organization does not build its own LLMs, it collaborates with others to create open-source, ethically designed models. Sustainability is embedded in decisions about data usage, hosting, and infrastructure. The platform’s voice-first design, which reduces screen dependency, also contributes to digital minimalism. Although latency remains a challenge, the system continues to evolve with environmental efficiency in mind.
5. Health and Wellbeing
Wellbeing is supported through features that allow learners to pause, revisit content, and reflect. Forms and onboarding tools are being redesigned for voice access, reducing the need for visual interfaces. Surveys and community input are regularly gathered to foster a sense of achievement and personal growth. The platform has served over 150 Latino users through community-based initiatives, reinforcing the social impact of inclusive, reflective design.
6. Key Success Performance Indicators
Cross-platform brand consistency
Accessibility through multilingual and voice-first design
Community engagement and co-creation
Scalable, environmentally conscious infrastructure
Human-centered design driving inclusion and learning equity
Group photo from “Building Our Future in AI Together: The Latin@ Way Meetup,” co-hosted by BrainTrainr held during Tech Week Toronto on June 18, 2025. A powerful gathering of 70+ Latin@ professionals and allies committed to shaping a more inclusive future in AI.
