AT&T’s commitment to digital learning at all ages

On this episode of Connected Nation, we wrap up our coverage of the Connected America conference with a powerful conversation about bridging the Digital Divide. Host Jessica Denson is joined by Viviana Cohuo, Lead Project Manager for AT&T’s Corporate Social Responsibility team. 

They dive into AT&T’s nationwide efforts to build digital skills through programs like Teens Teach Tech powered by AT&T, Ready Tech Go workshops with National PTA, and new device donation initiatives.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or tech advocate, this episode highlights why digital literacy is essential for everyone—and how partnerships are driving real progress.

Recommended Links: 

Teens Teach Tech Website 

Digital Skills Training Website

AT&T ScreenReady

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction + Meeting Viviana
• 2:50 Connected Nation & AT&T's partnership
• 4:30 Other AT&T initiatives
• 6:18 Connected America panel takeaways
• 6:40 Digital literacy for all ages
• 8:00 AT&T's 2030 goal
• 11:00 Conclusion + Outro

Transcript

Jessica Denson (00:08):

On this episode of Connected Nation, we wrap up our coverage from Connected America taking place in Irving, Texas. On this episode, we talk with one of our longtime partners at and t about what the organization is doing across the country to help other people learn digital skills. I'm Jessica Denson, and this is Connected Nation. I am at day two of Connected America taking place in Irving, Texas, and we just wrapped a panel on helping people learn digital skills for the modern workplace. And I've run into Vivia, Viviana Kao. I did it right. Alright, uh, with at and t. Hi Viviana. Viviana Cohuo (00:50):

Hello. Hello. Thank you so much, Jessica. Yeah. Jessica Denson (00:53):

Thank you for joining me. I really appreciate it. I know I kind of jumped you. Hey, come do an interview. Uh, talk about first, uh, what your role is with, with, uh, at and t. Viviana Cohuo (01:02):

Yes. Yes. Um, so my role at at and t is I am a lead project manager for our corporate social responsibility department. Um, I work primarily on our digital literacy partnerships and programs that support, uh, basic technology skilling for adults. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And then I also support programming for K through 12 students, um, in our digital literacy space as well. Jessica Denson (01:29):

And why do you do that work, just personally? Is it just important to you? Viviana Cohuo (01:33):

Yes, yes. I mean, there's lots of different reasons, um, as to why I do the work. Um, but it is a critical need, um, not just in, well in the community, Uhhuh, <affirmative>, um, but I've also seen it just in my own personal experience. Um, and that's really what, um, drives me to do the work. Um, because as a first generation, um, first generation and first in my family, um, to graduate from high school and go to college and, um, just do all the things this work, I, I've, I've seen it firsthand in my own life, like how important it is mm-hmm <affirmative>. And how much it is Jessica Denson (02:19):

Needed. So it must feel great to be able to run these programs and interact with other groups that do this work, right? Viviana Cohuo (02:26):

Yes. Yes. Because it reminds me of one, me as a kid, but then also my parents and my own family mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, and so being able to give back to be able to help those, um, that went through or are going through similar situations as I did, it just, it really just, just, I don't even know how to like, put it into words how much it impacts my heart. Jessica Denson (02:50):

That's awesome. So let, let's talk about some of what at t does. I know you have at t Impact and, um, you do do some work from with Connect Nation, but, uh, you don't to just highlight Connected Nations. Uh, we do have teens Teach Tech powered by at and t. Yes. Um, but what are, share a few of the programs that you're really proud of that you, you, you, that at and t works, um, to support? Viviana Cohuo (03:12):

Yes, yes. Um, so first I will talk about Connected Nation. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And our teens Teach Tech powered by at t program. Um, I'm really proud of this program. Um, I mean, again, I shared a little bit about, um, the work that, that this really drives, um, and how it really reminds me of myself as a student. And so this teens Teach Tech program really does hone in on that. And the fact that we are not only, um, developing the students, um, to lead programs, but also on the other hand it is, um, it is generational, intergenerational and they're doing intergenerational work, um, to be able to impact adults as well. Like these kids are not just teaching, um, them or they're not just learning themselves mm-hmm <affirmative>. But they're also teaching their parents. They're also teaching their grandparents or other people's parents and grandparents mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, it's just truly impactful work and I'm so proud of this work because it is one, it's able to reach so many students mm-hmm <affirmative>. And so many adults because we're able to multiply the effect of the work that we're doing. So I'm really, really proud of this work. Jessica Denson (04:27):

Yeah. We love doing it. I, I, I love talking to some of the kids and students as the comms director, I get to hear the impact and seeing, we trained three seven and I couldn't believe I learned this myself as well as teaching this to an adult. So it's really a great program. So we appreciate at and t. Are there any other programs that you're really excited about right now? Viviana Cohuo (04:46):

Yes. Yes. Um, so we are actually in the midst of launching our Ready Tech Go Workshops, uhhuh in partnership with National PTA. Oh. Um, and so that one is a really big project that we're doing because we're working with PTAs across the country. We're actually working in over 40 different states where we're launching these Ready Tech Go workshops, which focus on screen readiness, um, safety online mm-hmm <affirmative>. And it's equipping parents with the skills that they need to be able to help their young ones at home, um, one be safe online. Uh, but then two, it's equipping the parents to also know, um, or get help to know mm-hmm <affirmative>. When their children are ready for their first phone, um, or ready for their, their very first device. Not just phone, but you know, we also have tablets and iPads as well. Jessica Denson (05:42):

Yeah. Viviana Cohuo (05:43):

Um, and so to be able to equip parents with these skills, um, it's just, it's truly valuable work and we're launching right now, so we're in the midst of launching all these programs right now. That's exciting. Um, and it is really exciting work because we're also expanding to, um, bring the achiever, which is our K through 12 learning platform Yeah. To students as well. So not only are we impacting parents, but we're also impacting students. Jessica Denson (06:08):

And the achiever, I've, I've looked through that there's really cool videos that are, that teach you things while also being entertained. It's a lot of fun. Um, so I encourage people to go to that Viviana Cohuo (06:18):

For sure. Jessica Denson (06:18):

Yes. So what did you really take away from today's panel? Viviana Cohuo (06:22):

Yes, yes. Um, there were a lot of great discussions, um, in this panel. Um, and I think the one that I really want to, that, that really stood out to me was about the need for digital skills in Youth Jessica Denson (06:38):

Uhhuh, Viviana Cohuo (06:38):

Um, for the workplace mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, these students and, you know, the, the younger generation. I mean, there's such tech natives, digital natives that we don't really focus on them a lot when it comes to digital literacy. Um, and I think that's an opportunity, um, that at and t has in our digital literacy space. We have expanded to focusing on digital literacy for seniors. Um, but maybe we also need to go the other way and also focus on youth Jessica Denson (07:11):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Because as they said, they may know how to make a TikTok video and do some really great things on their phone, but they don't necessarily know how to do a spreadsheet or can even type on a computer. Viviana Cohuo (07:20):

Right. Yeah. Getting them ready for the workplace mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, and getting them started young is also another key aspect that stood out to me. Um, you know, focusing on these students, you know, maybe in that middle school, um, age to like younger high school age years, that way when they graduate high school, when they're looking at, you know, different work that they can do, um, maybe while they're in college, some of these skills are, are very important how to network. Mm-hmm. How to build a spreadsheet, how to put together a presentation, work on their resume. Like those are skills that they might not necessarily have while they're in high school. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Jessica Denson (08:00):

I even realize they need. Huh. Or realize that Viviana Cohuo (08:01):

They need mm-hmm Jessica Denson (08:02):

<affirmative>. So, uh, I won't keep you all day, but just to wrap is what is at t's commitment to this? Uh, is, is at t committed for the long term to do this type of work? Viviana Cohuo (08:15):

Yes, I would definitely say yes. We have set a, a goal, um, to focus on bridging the digital divide, um, and get it 25 million people connected by 2030. Wow. That's incredible. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Now don't quote me on that because I am like you're throwing out numbers in the middle of it. Gotcha. Jessica Denson (08:38):

Yeah. Well, a little asterisk by that in the, in the podcast so that everybody knows that that's the it's close to it though, right? Yeah. Viviana Cohuo (08:46):

Yes, yes, yes. I don't have my, uh, documents pulled up right now, but yes. So it is, it is close. Um, Jessica Denson (08:52):

And like I said, I, I just pulled you aside and said you talked to me, so Viviana Cohuo (08:55):

Yes. Jessica Denson (08:55):

You didn't have a chance to prepare, so Viviana Cohuo (08:57):

Yes, yes. But we have made a commitment till 2030 to bridge the digital divide. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Connect those folks that need to be connected, the ones that are in need of not just digital skills, but also broadband connectivity. So it, it's, it doesn't encompass just the digital skills work, but also connectivity. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Adoption, affordability. I mean, there's a whole, um, range of focuses that we have, but it's all to bridge the digital divide. Um, and so we are in it for the long haul, um, and we're thankful for the partnerships that we have with Connected Nation and with other, our other partners mm-hmm <affirmative>. To make this work happen, um, and to bring needed resources to those communities that need it the most. Jessica Denson (09:39):

Now, I, I know that they could, uh, our audience can find out about TC Tech powered by at t through the Connecticut Nation website, but where would they find, um, details about other programs that at t supports? Viviana Cohuo (09:51):

Yes, yes. So we have our, well, we have a few, few resource sites mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, but one of them is our at t screen Ready site. Um, and it's really screen ready.com that they can go to to find out more about digital literacy, digital parenting, online learning. Um, and then we also have a new site that can be accessed and I'll share the actual link with you, but it's att.com/cl Jessica Denson (10:24):

Uhhuh, Viviana Cohuo (10:24):

Um, learning. I could put, Jessica Denson (10:27):

I could put all that in the description of the podcast. Viviana Cohuo (10:29):

Yes. Yeah. And so this site, it's a new site that we just put together or a new page that we just put together and launched mm-hmm <affirmative>. Which you can actually learn more about digital literacy, digital learning, but also our computer giveaways. Um, and so that is a very, um, Jessica Denson (10:45):

Yeah, getting those devices. Viviana Cohuo (10:46):

Yeah. That's a very new, new component of our work and that we also want to make sure to, um, expand nationwide and we want more folks to learn about it, folks to learn about where not only can they get the digital skills training, but where can they get a device mm-hmm <affirmative>. So that they can continue that training and learning at home. Um, and so that, that I'll definitely share that resource. Um, yeah. But we have the partnership with Comp Dot, we have a partnership with Human IT so that folks can apply and sign up in one of the respective cities to receive a free device. Jessica Denson (11:22):

Awesome. Well, we'll, we'll share all those links in the description of this podcast. Again, thank you Viviana, with at TI really appreciate your time. Viviana Cohuo (11:29):

Yes, Jessica Denson (11:29):

Thank you. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. That concludes our coverage of Connected America. Until next time, I'm Jessica Desen and this is Connected Nation.