University of Michigan
B.S. Computer Science and Computer Security instructional aide
psychology About AutoNateAI
We teach students how to think like modern software engineers.
AutoNateAI exists to develop exceptional thinkers through software engineering, AI, and systems design. Programming is more than writing code. It teaches students how to break down problems, design solutions, communicate ideas, and work with AI responsibly.
Students should become architects, not just programmers.
Many students learn syntax. Very few learn how software actually gets designed. Professional engineers spend a lot of time thinking: planning, debugging, communicating, decomposing problems, using Git, reviewing tradeoffs, and deciding what should be automated next. AutoNateAI closes that gap.
verified Why families and organizations can trust the program
Built from real engineering work, not a generic coding worksheet.
For the last five years, Nathan has designed software systems, AI workflows, and software architectures used inside real organizations. Now AutoNateAI brings those same engineering methods, AI workflows, and systems thinking to the next generation.
Before founding AutoNateAI, Nathan also taught Computer Security at the University of Michigan as an instructional aide, leading office hours, lab sections, and mentoring students learning software security and networking.
Microsoft Security
Software developer experience on systems people depend on
Citi
Engineering work inside financial technology environments
Veterans United
AI software engineering for real organizational workflows
Atomic Object
Senior software consulting across products, teams, and architecture decisions
Outlier
Prompt engineering and AI workflow evaluation before it became mainstream
school Teaching Philosophy
Reserve Seats arrow_forward
Technology changes. Thinking lasts.
Students are encouraged to experiment, prototype, question assumptions, design before coding, learn from mistakes, use AI responsibly, and communicate their ideas clearly.
Architecture
Students learn to split large problems into smaller parts and explain how those parts work together.
Debugging
They practice finding the real cause of a problem instead of guessing and hoping.
Git workflows
They learn to save progress, read changes, recover working versions, and document decisions.
AI collaboration
They use AI as a thinking partner while staying responsible for the final code and explanation.
groups Community and education work
Experience across classrooms, companies, and youth initiatives.
AutoNateAI's work is shaped by collaborations, workshops, outreach, and education initiatives involving universities, technology companies, churches, nonprofits, and community organizations. The focus is not logos. The focus is helping students think clearly and build with confidence.
Grand Valley State UniversityBlack Boys CodeSalesforceMicrosoftEndless OpportunitiesChurchesCommunity OrganizationsYouth Education Initiatives
diamond Values
The standards behind the work.
Curiosity
Students should leave with better questions, not just memorized answers.
Systems
We teach students to see inputs, state, feedback loops, constraints, and tradeoffs.
Integrity
AI is powerful, but students still need to understand, explain, and own their work.
Creation
The goal is to build, test, reflect, and improve, not passively consume technology.
Let's build the next generation of thinkers.
I grew up fascinated with technology because it gave me a way to turn ideas into something real. Over time, working across Microsoft, financial technology, AI, consulting, and education reinforced one lesson: the people who succeed are not always the people who memorize the most. They are the people who learn how to think.
AutoNateAI exists because students deserve to learn software the way modern engineers actually work: with planning, systems thinking, Git, debugging, communication, responsible AI use, and projects that feel alive.
If you are a parent, educator, student, or organization leader, I would love to build with you.
Nathan BakerFounder, AutoNateAI
help FAQ
Common questions
Is this only for students who already code?
No. The program is structured so students can build fundamentals while seeing how those fundamentals become a working system.
How does AI fit into the class?
Students use AI to ask better questions, inspect code, debug, and improve ideas. AI does not replace understanding.
Why use Screeps?
Screeps makes software visible. Students can see state, automation, feedback loops, failure, and strategy play out in a live world.
Who is this built for?
Parents, schools, churches, nonprofits, universities, and youth organizations that want students to learn durable technology habits.
local_activity Current Program
Explore the Program arrow_forward
AI Systems Programming Lab
A six-week youth programming cohort where students build a Screeps colony, learn systems thinking, use Git, collaborate with AI, and finish with a tournament capstone.