Teen Tech Enthusiast Bridges Generations With Free Coding and AI Classes
Seventeen-year-old Jacob Shaul isn’t your typical high school student. On weekends, you might find him deep in a chess match, flipping through books by Malcolm Gladwell and Angela Duckworth, or experimenting with drum solos in his band. He’s equally comfortable explaining the basics of quantum computing as he is debugging code. But what sets him apart is his decision to share his love for technology with the world—by founding a nonprofit that teaches free coding and AI classes to students and seniors across five continents.
What began as a small experiment at his former middle school, Live Oak School, has blossomed into a 16-member nonprofit called Mode to Code. Today, Shaul and his team deliver weeks-long courses—both online and in person—at more than 30 institutions worldwide. Their work spans schools, community centers, and even assisted-living facilities across the Bay Area. Since none of the volunteers have driver’s licenses yet, they hop on buses with laptops in hand, determined to spread tech education.
“I genuinely just enjoy teaching tech to people,” Shaul says. “Technology has so much power, and I want to help others harness it.”
From Middle Schoolers to Global Reach
Shaul founded Mode to Code in 2024, guided by the belief that teenagers can often teach each other more effectively than adults. His initiative quickly gained traction. Today, he and his peers offer courses on artificial intelligence, web development, and video game design at nine Bay Area schools. They also partner with nonprofits like Breakthrough Summerbridge and Young STEAMers to reach under-resourced communities.
Internationally, the program has expanded to countries as far-reaching as India, Italy, Botswana, and Bolivia, with more partnerships on the horizon.
But in March 2025, Shaul took an unexpected step: expanding his audience from middle schoolers to senior citizens. Encouraged by his mother, he piloted his first class at Rhoda Goldman Plaza, an assisted-living facility in San Francisco. The idea caught on quickly. Within six months, seven facilities had adopted the program, giving seniors the opportunity to explore tech tools and even AI with the help of teenagers in matching Mode to Code polos.
Seniors Eager to Learn
Each week, Shaul and his team run four- to five-week classes where around a dozen seniors gather to learn everything from setting up email accounts to experimenting with AI chatbots. Some residents are curious about how AI might improve their daily routines, while others simply want help managing their smartphones.
“They know a lot more than I expected,” Shaul admits, noting how inquisitive and sharp many of his senior students are.
The program’s goal, according to 17-year-old co-leader Aydin Khaleeli, is to bridge the digital divide between generations. Khaleeli, inspired by his own struggles to help his grandparents in Pakistan with technology, sees the classes as a way to prevent older adults from being left behind.
Fighting Back Against Scams
One of the biggest challenges seniors face online is the risk of scams. Americans over 60 reported $4.9 billion in losses from scams in 2024, a staggering 43% increase from the year before, according to the FBI.
That’s why Shaul and Khaleeli dedicate an entire week of their program to scam prevention. They explain how to spot phishing emails, avoid fake tech-support calls, and protect personal information.
For 87-year-old Paulette Aroesty, these lessons hit home. She recalls nearly falling victim to a scammer posing as an iPad technician. “Sometimes seniors will answer the phone just for company, and that makes us vulnerable,” she says.
Another participant, Ed Kaplan, an environmental scientist, already uses AI tools like ChatGPT but values the open discussions the program encourages. “Even well-educated people can get duped,” Kaplan notes, recalling how a physician friend once lost thousands to a scam.
The sessions provide seniors not just with knowledge but also a safe forum to share experiences and support each other.
AgeTech: A Growing Industry
Shaul’s program also ties into a larger trend known as AgeTech—technology designed to enhance the lives of older adults. With nearly one in five Americans now over 65 (a number expected to keep growing), companies from CVS Health to Hyundai are investing in products and services tailored for this demographic.
By 2030, adults over 50 are projected to spend more than $120 billion annually on technology, according to AARP. This demand has opened doors for collaborations between nonprofits like Mode to Code and private companies such as The Smarter Service, an “older adult tech concierge” that offers personalized consultations.
More Than Just Tech Lessons
Despite his passion for computer science, Shaul recognizes that the success of Mode to Code isn’t just about algorithms and apps. It’s about face-to-face connection.
At a recent class at Franks Residences, seniors peppered Shaul and Khaleeli with questions ranging from how to organize their smartphones to what colleges they plan to attend. The interaction was lively, personal, and empowering.
For Geoffrey Washburn, the facility’s life enrichment director, the benefits were clear. “In-person learning makes a huge difference, especially on topics as dense as technology,” he says.
For seniors like Aroesty, the impact is life-changing. She now enjoys FaceTiming her grandchildren and using voice assistants like Alexa to make daily tasks easier. “I still miss the days when tuition was only $22,” she jokes, “but I love being able to connect with my family at the push of a button.”
Looking Ahead
Shaul hopes to study computer science and pursue a career in software engineering, eventually passing the torch of Mode to Code to future student leaders. “I definitely want it to continue,” he says.
What started as one teen’s idea has grown into a global movement bridging generations. And while Shaul teaches coding, AI, and digital literacy, what he and his team truly offer is something even more powerful: confidence, connection, and community in a world where technology can feel overwhelming