About Us
Our Story
AI & Robotics Youth Foundation (ARYF) was born from a father’s struggle with his 13-year-old son’s screen time addictionâand the discovery of something much bigger. When restriction-based approaches failed and time limits became constant battles, our founder tried a different approach: creating learning experiences so engaging that kids would choose them over mindless scrolling. What started as garage experiments teaching coding and robotics to his son and friend revealed the magic ingredientâpeer learning that made technology education feel like play. As these kids debugged code together and raced their robots, it became clear this wasn’t just one family’s challenge but a generational opportunity to help young minds thrive in the age of AI.
Mission
To empower young minds with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in the age of AI through hands-on learning in robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, and innovation.
Vision
We envision a world where every childâregardless of backgroundâhas access to high-quality, future-focused education and opportunities to become ethical leaders and innovators in a technology-driven world.
Board of Directors
Our foundation is guided by accomplished technology leaders who bring decades of experience from major tech companies and innovative startups. Their deep expertise in scaling technology organizations and driving innovation ensures ARYF remains at the forefront of educational excellence while maintaining strong governance and strategic direction.
Our Board of Directors includes:
Aamir Shah
Principal Software Engineer, Amazon
An architect of Amazon’s global infrastructure who has spent over a decade building the automated systems that power the world’s largest fulfillment network. Shah’s engineering solutions enable millions of packages to move seamlessly from warehouse to doorstep, demonstrating how thoughtful technology design can transform entire industries. A passionate mentor who has guided countless engineers throughout his career, he understands that today’s breakthrough innovations begin with nurturing tomorrow’s technical leaders.
Montaque Hou
Chief Information Security Officer, Newegg Commerce
A technology visionary who transformed e-commerce through AI innovation, Hou spent six years as Newegg’s CTO architecting machine learning systems that revolutionized online shopping for millions of users. Now leading cybersecurity strategy for the publicly-traded company, he combines his Master’s in analytical chemistry with deep expertise in artificial intelligence to safeguard digital commerce at scale. His rare blend of scientific rigor and technological leadership makes him an invaluable voice in shaping the next generation of AI-literate innovators.
William Dale
Chief Executive Officer, Utiliware
A visionary technology leader who anticipates industry shifts before they happen, Dale has positioned Utiliware at the cutting edge of cloud transformation as organizations worldwide reimagine their digital infrastructure. His strategic foresight in serverless architecture and cloud solutions has made him a sought-after voice in the technology community. With deep insight into how emerging technologies reshape entire industries, he brings invaluable perspective on preparing young innovators for a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Get Involved
Join our mission of empowering young minds in the age of AIâwhether you’re here to learn or to help others learn.
Ready to Learn?
Explore coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence through programs designed for all experience levelsâfrom free online courses to hands-on workshops and mentorship opportunities.
Ready to Contribute?
Help us make transformative tech education accessible to all. Whether you’re a professional wanting to mentor, a supporter looking to fund free programs, or an organization seeking partnership opportunitiesâthere’s a meaningful way for you to make an impact.