Reality Bytes: Where Tech Amplifies Community Creativity

Access to tech and creative industry employment

LAUSD (select only if you have a district-wide partnership) West LA South LA East LA Central LA San Gabriel Valley Long Beach South Bay

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

LA is an arts hub yet young talent is overlooked because they’re in low-income, under-resourced communities. Couple that with a lack of affordable access to technology and advanced training, and this generation is ill-equipped to compete for in-demand industries in the near future. Creative industries and tech are 2 of the most profitable sectors and they make LA a preferred host for global events like LA28. Brands and agencies from around the country will descend in hopes of getting a piece of the estimated $11 billion pie. Yet the communities they are marketing to won’t benefit from this surplus. Local talent are disconnected from these opportunities because they lack access and knowledge to engage on this scale. Engagement is disingenuous because it lacks authenticity and communities remain underrepresented. Reality Bytes must close the talent gap and equip local creators on the skills/platforms to seize unprecedented opportunities for cultural and economic participation.

Pulse Arts, an LAUSD district partner, and Swiirl, a leading AI-powered, community-driven creative agency, will collaborate to recruit, train, and host paid internships for student creators from local high schools, LACCD, and Otis College of Art and Design. Students will join a 12-week, in-school program where they will study under professional artists in their chosen disciplines and simultaneously receive workforce training in advanced AI tools and technology, brand collaboration, and marketing strategies to lead the next generation of local, skilled, creative talent.
What Makes This Unique:
Community Focus: Directly integrates high schools, LACCD, and Otis College of Art and Design talent—ensuring underrepresented voices lead campaign creation.
End-to-End AI Support: From brief generation to performance analysis, creators leverage AI copilots and agents at every step—building high-quality campaigns faster than traditional methods.
Brand Collaboration: Brands partner to offer live briefs, providing real economic and professional pathways for participants.
Industry Experiences: Students will attend, present, and pitch brands at local and national industry conferences
By merging Pulse Arts’ curriculum and Swiirl’s platform, we bridge creativity, technology, and real community engagement to expand access to the lucrative creative and tech economies in LA County.

If successful, the LA County creative economy will expand with this new class of emerging creators. In the1st year, we will onboard 360 high school/college students across 3 cohorts. Young creatives will combine their artistic talents and AI-tech savviness to tell personal and community stories. Next they’ll transfer those same skills to co-create at least 50 campaigns with major brands. Participants will connect directly with companies to increase post-graduate employment opportunities.
Long term, we can scale Reality Bytes to integrate into any core/STEAM class or the CDE Career Technical Education work-based learning curriculum for multiple industry sectors. We can train thousands of students each semester resulting in LA being recognized as a host for global events AND the hub of local talent. Furthermore, the Swiirl platform/Pulse Arts Community will become a permanent resource for underrepresented creators amplifying diverse voices and generating economic opportunities.