In a time when young people are reporting high levels of loneliness, the landscape of relationship building has become increasingly complex. What once involved connecting in person, then evolved through social media has now transformed through technology, raising concerns about whether what we're engaging with is even real—or if it's all AI-generated.
For The Rithm Project, it starts with restoring and evolving human connection in an increasingly digital world. Their goal is to help young people be effective consumers and producers of technology in a way that biases human connection. And that work starts with deeply understanding it from a youth perspective.
In Tandem is proud to partner with The Rithm Project to integrate youth insights into cutting-edge research and development cycles. Together, we’re proving that when we listen to young people, they don’t just join the conversation—they transform it.
Organization spotlight
The Rithm Project is a catalyst for change, dedicated to fostering human connection in the age of AI. With a focus on youth, it equips the next generation to navigate and shape the digital world responsibly. The organization’s approach leverages three key levers:
- Equipping Youth: Providing tools and resources to help young people become conscious consumers and creators of AI.
- Advancing Research: Uncovering how technology influences human relationships and what interventions can strengthen them.
- Catalyzing Collaboration: Partnering with educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to design solutions that foster connection and well-being.
Their ambitious goal is to restore measures of social connection to pre-smartphone levels by 2032—a vision grounded in youth agency and actionable insights.
Project overview
Our work with The Rithm Project is all about putting youth perspectives at the center of innovation. This partnership is already creating impact through multiple engagement methods, including:
- Asynchronous Surveys: Gathering diverse perspectives on how technology shapes relationships and daily life.
- In-Depth Interviews: Collecting nuanced stories to better understand the motivations and needs of youth navigating AI-driven systems.
- Focus Groups: Facilitating collaborative discussions where young people interrogate data and co-create insights.
In the early stages of our project, we’re exploring various questions about human connection, yielding powerful insights, shaping personas of youth AI users and generating actionable recommendations for designing more inclusive, youth-centered technologies. This partnership is only the beginning, with plans to expand our collaboration into future projects that continue amplifying youth voices.
Why In Tandem?
At In Tandem, we believe that when youth perspectives guide the design process, the outcomes are not only more innovative—they’re more human. By partnering with The Rithm Project, we’re helping ensure that young people’s lived experiences inform the systems and technologies that shape their futures.
The Rithm Project recognizes that youth voices are not a checkbox but a vital ingredient for meaningful change. Together, we’re co-creating a roadmap for youth-led innovation that goes beyond theory and delivers tangible, inclusive impact.
Additional learning
Learn more about The Rithm Project and their mission here.