Augment: Workforce Development & AI Literacy Award winner
On January 26, 2026, the Austin AI Alliance recognized its first-ever collection of AI Excellence Award winners — organizations and individuals who are shaping the region’s AI ecosystem with intention, responsibility, and impact. The honors were presented at the State of AI in Austin event, which brought together business leaders, researchers, educators, and innovators to reflect on how artificial intelligence is transforming Central Texas and where the ecosystem is headed next.
The awards spotlight leaders and organizations who are not only advancing AI capabilities but also demonstrating how the technology can be deployed in ways that strengthen communities, expand opportunity, and keep people at the center of innovation. In all, five organizations and one individual leader were recognized for translating AI innovation into real-world impact across research, workforce development, ethical practice, community benefit, and individual leadership.
Honored with the Augment: Workforce Development & AI Literacy Award, Cognify has developed what it describes as a “learner-first” version of ChatGPT — an AI learning companion intentionally designed to support comprehension, critical thinking, and academic integrity rather than shortcut it. Unlike generic AI tools, Cognify is built to guide students through reasoning processes, scaffold understanding, and reinforce course objectives in alignment with instructors’ expectations.
The early response has been striking. Within the first two weeks of launch, Cognify acquired 700 users, signaling strong demand for AI tools that are purpose-built for education rather than retrofitted for it.
The measurable outcomes are even more compelling. At Syracuse University of New York (SUNY), Cognify has been credited with helping reduce course fail rates from 20 percent to 3.9 percent, a dramatic improvement that underscores how thoughtfully designed AI can expand student success rather than widen achievement gaps.
Cognify’s approach reflects a broader philosophy: AI literacy is not simply about knowing how to prompt a tool. It’s about developing the confidence, adaptability, and ethical awareness required to navigate an AI-enabled economy. By positioning AI as a collaborative learning partner instead of a replacement for effort, Cognify helps learners build durable skills that translate beyond the classroom.
About the Austin AI Alliance
The Austin AI Alliance is a community-driven organization dedicated to advancing responsible, human-centered artificial intelligence across Central Texas. By convening leaders from industry, academia, startups, and the public sector, the Alliance works to foster collaboration, promote ethical AI practices, support workforce readiness, and position Austin as a national model for inclusive and impactful AI innovation.
Through events like the State of AI in Austin, the Alliance celebrates the people and organizations shaping the future of AI, and ensures that progress is guided by shared values, transparency, and long-term vision.