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AI Fact-Checker Built by High School Students | Debate Tool

BetterMind Labs
Jul 28
3 min read

Updated: Aug 19

How High School Students Built an AI Fact-Checker for Political Debates

Political debates are intense, fast-paced, and full of claims that aren’t always true. So students at Amador Valley High School in California took action. High school students built an AI fact-checker that listened to the 2024 U.S. presidential debate and flagged misleading or false statements on the spot. It wasn’t just for show; it achieved 87% accuracy using live news sources and natural language processing.

This wasn’t a classroom assignment. It worked in the real world, and it was built by high schoolers.

How High School Students Built an AI Fact-Checker for Political Debates

Real-Time AI Debate Fact-Checking System: What They Created

Using speech-to-text software, the team transcribed debate audio in real time. Then their AI model compared spoken statements to verified databases and up-to-date news sources. Machine learning algorithms classified each claim as true, false, or misleading within seconds.

One student, Noah Small, led efforts to optimize the speech transcription. Colin Jennings, Aryan Das, and Jeffrey Ma designed the machine learning model and built the confidence scoring system. Working under their teacher, Kevin Kiyoi, they tested APIs like Google Gemini and OpenAI’s GPT to parse and verify statements.

The impressive part wasn’t just accuracy. It was adaptability. The system handled background noise, rapid speaker changes, and incomplete sentences. That made it a true example of a high school AI project success.

Accuracy and Impact: Why AI Misinformation Tools Matter

The debate tool achieved 87% accuracy, verified by students cross-checking outputs. Local media and educators praised its innovation and potential. This showed that teenagers can build useful systems for political fact-checking and tackling misinformation.

They didn’t replace fact-checking organizations. Instead, they enhanced it, providing instant feedback during live events. Imagine using a similar tool for televised interviews, press briefings, or live podcasts. That’s the power of accessible, student-built AI.

Accuracy and Impact: Why AI Misinformation Tools Matter

AI Projects by Teens: Projects with Purpose

What makes this project shine is the mindset behind it. These students didn’t just learn AI theory. They picked a real problem and built a solution. That’s a big difference between classroom exercises and real-world projects.

They could have studied algorithms all year. Instead, they created something meaningful.

Mentorship in High School AI: Why It Matters

The Amador Valley team had the guidance of Kevin Kiyoi, a teacher who encouraged experimentation and problem-solving. Mentorship like that is often what turns a decent project into something impactful.

It’s the same reason students at BetterMind Labs get to build projects that matter. Take Namya and Rishav, developed an early disease detection system. They didn’t just work through tutorials; they had mentors who helped them work through real data, hit roadblocks, and iterate until their model worked in the wild.

Whether it’s a debate fact-checker or an Early disease detector, mentorship makes the difference between learning the tools and learning how to use them.

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Final Thoughts: Teen AI Project Inspiration

When Noah Small, Colin Jennings, Aryan Das, and Jeffrey Ma built their live AI fact-checker, they showed that high school students can tackle misinformation with real impact. That’s not a niche achievement. It’s a sign that the next wave of AI innovation will come from unexpected places.

They just need curiosity, support, and tools. And once they start building, they might surprise you with just how far they can go.