{
  "id": 7587880,
  "title": "While world frets over AI fears, Toronto teen is using the tech to help homeless",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/while-world-frets-over-ai-fears-toronto-teen-is-using-the-tech-to",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-15T16:03:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/09/15/ai-app-teen-toronto-student-homeless/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is sparking global concern about its potential to threaten humanity, a high school student in Toronto is leveraging the technology for a different purpose. Grade 11 student Nathan Han, 17, is creating an AI-powered website to assist those experiencing homelessness in navigating the complex network of community services. \"There are a lot of homeless people living on the streets, so I believe there must be a way for me to utilize technology to help them,\" Han told CityNews.\n\nThe ambitious teenager has already demonstrated his prowess in robotics, leading his team to victory in several international competitions, including the prestigious VEX AI World Championship at the University of California, Berkeley. Now, he has shifted his focus to a more pressing issue – using AI to aid Canada's homeless population, estimated to be around 65,000 individuals on any given night.\n\nHan's website aims to provide all necessary resources in a single location, with AI technologies translating the information and guiding users to the nearest services. He dedicates six to eight hours a day to coding, a level of dedication that has impressed his teachers at Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School. Communications technology teacher Deanna Bucco remarked, \"It's incredibly impressive... It's definitely something I can't do, and even other teachers in our school who do coding are just super impressed with his level of skill.\"\n\nThe student is currently working on a name for his AI website but hopes to have it operational by the end of October. While fears surrounding unfettered AI continue to grow, Han remains committed to harnessing its capabilities for the greater good. He firmly believes, \"I think technology can help everyone.\"",
  "summary": "While the world is suddenly heeding warnings that artificial intelligence (AI) could run rampant and ultimately end humanity, one Toronto high school student wants to use the technology to help people survive. Grade 11 student Nathan Han, 17, is developing an AI-powered website to help people experiencing homelessness navigate an often-convoluted web of community services. […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}