Last week, I caught up with Tonya French, founder of HeroSelf, to reflect on how AI has transformed her mission of empowering children. HeroSelf, a community interest company, teaches primary school students the power of self-talk through creative methods like drama and art.
Tonya's journey started with a clear goal: helping children build confidence, overcome challenges, and grow resilient. Scaling her unique programmes, however, felt overwhelming—until AI entered the picture.
Through the AI Accelerator, Tonya turned her vision into reality, compressing months of work into weeks. From drafting bids to refining lesson plans, AI became her trusted partner, helping HeroSelf grow from reaching dozens of students to hundreds within months.
What struck me most was Tonya's transformation from a self-described technophobe to calling AI her "best friend." By simplifying her workload and sparking creative ideas, AI has enabled her to focus on what matters most—creating measurable change in children's lives.
Seeing the power of AI in action, especially for those initially hesitant, is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. If this is the impact on a micro-business, imagine what it could do for a larger organisation.
Check out the amazing impact of Hero Self here: https://www.heroself.org/