Penn Students Win $3K for AI Tool Helping Autism Families

Annie Yang wanted to build tools that actually help people, but she didn't expect to launch a real venture in her first year of grad school.

Yang and classmate Sora Cha created HeartBridge, an AI platform designed to support families raising autistic children. The tool helps parents track emotional and behavioral patterns, get timely guidance, and find professional support when they need it most.

The duo entered their prototype in the Baidu Global Hackathon this fall, competing against teams worldwide. Judges awarded HeartBridge third prize and $3,000 in funding.

Yang brought years of hands-on experience in autism research and family intervention to the project. But she credits her program at Penn's Graduate School of Education with giving her the skills and support to turn passion into action.

"The faculty here are not only experts in their fields, but are also incredibly kind, helpful, and accessible," Yang said. Professor Seiji Isotani now advises the venture, showing the team how human-centered AI can empower families rather than replace personal care.

What began as a hackathon entry has grown into something much bigger. The HeartBridge team now includes 10 members from across Penn's education, business, and engineering schools, and they're competing in the Wharton Venture Lab competition.

The Ripple Effect

The team is taking a careful, community-focused approach to growth. They're starting with pilot programs, working directly with parents to gather feedback and refine the platform before expanding.

"Right now, my focus is on listening closely to parents, clinicians, and researchers, and growing HeartBridge in a way that truly reflects the families it is meant to serve," Yang said. The goal is building something ethical and grounded in real needs, not just rushing to scale.

Their approach bridges a critical gap between clinical intervention and everyday family life. For parents navigating autism support, that everyday guidance can make all the difference.

From classroom idea to award-winning venture in months, HeartBridge shows what happens when students combine expertise with genuine care for the communities they serve.