Pro-Social AI in Practice: How Da Vinci Schools Is Using Technology to Strengthen Human Support Systems
At Da Vinci Schools, a growing network of mental health and wellness partnerships ensures students get the support they need—but connecting each student to the right resources at the right time can be complex. Now, in an innovative next step, Da Vinci is using pro-social artificial intelligence to help counselors and staff navigate these needs and deliver more personalized support—transforming how student care happens behind the scenes.
Since its inception, Da Vinci Schools has prioritized building a comprehensive student support ecosystem rooted in health and wellness partnerships—ensuring every young person has access to the care they need to fully engage in school and life.
Under the leadership of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Erin Whalen, the network has expanded on the groundbreaking work of Da Vinci RISE High School, developing systems and partnerships that support students across a wide range of needs. In close collaboration with leaders such as Dr. Emily Green, Dr. Lynn Rodriguez, and a dedicated team of counselors and psychologists, Da Vinci has cultivated an expansive, coordinated network of providers—including Hazel Health, Clear Behavioral Health, allcove, STAR Wrap Service, Care Solace, Better Youth, and others.
As this network of support grew, so did a critical challenge: knowing when, where, and how to connect students to the right resources at the right time. The solution came through an unexpected and innovative approach—leveraging pro-social artificial intelligence. Recognizing the opportunity, Whalen partnered with Dr. Timothy Regalado, a highly respected AI developer and practitioner, to build a secure internal AI app designed specifically for Da Vinci’s student services teams.
The system draws from an extensive body of work developed over the past year and a half—board policies, counseling protocols, referral guides, and operational documents previously housed within the network’s Basecamp system—helping staff navigate complex needs and deliver timely, personalized support to students.
These materials were transformed into a closed, secure AI companion that helps counselors, administrators, and school psychologists navigate complex student cases and determine appropriate referral pathways. This tool is powered by Playlab.ai, an educator friendly platform for creating custom AI tools. Playlab has partnered with Da Vinci Schools for the past two years, helping staff and students build AI literacy and develop tools to support teaching and learning, including this one.
Unlike many public AI systems, such as ChatGPT or Claude, which may store or train on potentially sensitive user data, Da Vinci’s tool operates within strict safeguards:
- *All student information remains anonymous*
- The system is closed-source and references only internal documents
- No external data is accessed, reducing the chances of errors or data leakage
Furthermore, rather than replacing human decision-making, the AI functions as a “thought partner”—guiding staff through protocols, suggesting appropriate resources, and reinforcing consistent practices across the organization.
Crucially, the system is designed to be pro-social. It intentionally directs human professionals back to one another and reinforces Da Vinci’s collaborative leadership structure. Housing instability cases, for example, are routed to Erin Whalen as Da Vinci’s McKinney-Vento Liaison. Special education matters connect to Lynn Rodriguez, Executive Director of Special Education, while health and wellness issues are directed toward Emily Green, Health Services Director.
In this way, the technology strengthens—rather than replaces—the human relationships at the center of the system.
This approach reflects a broader philosophy emerging at Da Vinci Schools: AI should not distance people from one another, but deepen our capacity for care, clarity, and coordinated action.
At its best, this form of pro-social AI does exactly that—empowering educators to act with greater confidence, ensuring consistency across complex systems, and ultimately helping schools respond more effectively to the real challenges facing young people and families.
