Pathfinders Summer Institute 2026

The Pathfinders Summer Institute (PSI) 2026 embraced the theme "Pathways to Possibility," and brought together a record 1,516 educators from across the country. Since 2018, PSI has empowered over 8000 educators and continues to expand opportunities for teachers and students. What makes PSI truly special isn’t just the learning – it’s the community.

Through Foundation-supported scholarships, educators participated in innovative professional learning experiences focused on computer science, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and future-ready teaching practices. Participants reported an anticipated impact of approximately 422,851 students, extending the reach of PSI into classrooms and communities nationwide.

A highlight of this year's Institute was the launch of the first-ever professional development program, CTRL + AI + Teach, designed and led by Infosys Foundation USA. Hosted by Leandra McGriff, Education Strategy Lead and AI expert, the program empowered educators to bring artificial intelligence into the classroom safely, thoughtfully, and effectively.

“Every student deserves access to the technologies shaping their world. When we give educators the knowledge and confidence to teach AI, we're not just changing classrooms. We're changing the future”. - Leandra McGriff, Education Strategy Lead, Infosys Foundation USA

As a bonus learning opportunity for all registered PSI educators, Infosys Foundation USA also hosted a four-part "Teaching with AI" webinar series featuring leading voices in artificial intelligence, computer science, and education. The series included sessions with Dan Garcia (Teaching Professor, UC Berkeley), Sreenidhi Bala (Founder, Code for All Minds), Leandra McGriff (Education Strategy Lead, Infosys Foundation USA), and Dora Palfi (CEO of imagi) alongside Kelly Schuster-Paredes (co-host of Teaching Python podcast), providing practical strategies and insights for creating inclusive, relevant classrooms.

PSI 2026 also introduced the PSI Digital Champions initiative, recognizing ten educators for their creativity, engagement, and commitment to sharing their learning journeys with fellow educators. Through social media storytelling and peer engagement, these educators helped amplify the impact of PSI and inspire fellow teachers across the country.

With its growing community of educators, and expanding network of expert partners, PSI remains a vibrant hub for advancing computer science and AI education while opening new pathways to possibility for students across the United States. So, when we invest in educators, we’re not just investing in classrooms today – we’re investing in the workforce, innovators and leaders of tomorrow.

To celebrate this year's program, Infosys Foundation USA produced a PSI 2026 Impact Video. The video captured the spirit of Pathways to Possibility and highlighted how investing in teachers creates new opportunities for students to learn, create, and succeed.