The AI Effect 2.0
Ready, Set, Debate!
With AI suddenly woven into nearly every corner of life, young people are left to navigate a brand-new landscape—full of tricky choices, gray areas, and the tension between efficiency and the messy, vital work of being human. It can feel overwhelming.
But getting your bearings can also open up joyful exploration.
That was our bet when, this past spring, we made our first card game, The AI Effect. The premise was simple: spark real conversations about the ways AI strengthens our relationships—and the ways it strains them. And help people feel more empowered to shape a future that centers real, nourishing human connection.
That first prototype flew off the proverbial shelves, finding its way into classrooms, conferences, dinner tables, and friend game nights. With more than 10,000 players across the country this year, we heard things like:
“It took 60 seconds for The AI Effect card game to bring our staff’s diverse opinions and feelings about AI. It’s the perfect route into real and honest conversations about how we want AI to improve our lives and not take the best parts of our shared humanity.”
“This game helps interrupt binary thinking and invites us to go deeper into our values and shared humanity while navigating technology.
So, we listened. We learned from your suggestions to make it even more impactful. And now, we’re back with Round 2, just in time for your holiday shopping and gift giving.
Bigger, bolder, with a healthy dose of competition.
As we prepared for our next print run, we took the opportunity to remix the game. For those who loved Version 1, this one leans even further into gameplay (in the words of one you: “I only play games I can win.”)
With AI changing fast, the scenarios needed to keep up. So we added a fresh batch of cards, with one-third of the deck brand new.
We also redesigned the voting so everyone asserts a point of view about the AI use cases at the same time. That shift cuts down on groupthink and turns diverging opinions into genuine conversations—because that’s where the nuance appears, and where we get to practice curiosity and productive disagreement.
Let’s play!
Preview three of the newest cards, dip your toe into the debate, and vote: Would using AI in this way support or erode meaningful connection?
Hot Debates for the Holidays
We had 1,000 new card decks land on our stoop last week—and they’re ready for you.
This season, put those spirited holiday debates to good use. Or stock up for your new-year team spaces, youth gatherings, professional developments, and community circles.
Let them sharpen our shared discernment and strengthen our imagination for how AI can bring out the best in us—and how we can guard against the worst.