Where community insight meets technology to create human-centered solutions.
The Amplifi Innovation Lab develops and tests human-centered technology tools shaped by lived experience. By partnering with service providers, technologists, and community experts, we create solutions to complex problems.
Discover how lived experience and technology come together to spark change.
The iLab is Amplifi's hub for research, design, and experimentation. Every project begins with listening - to clients, caseworkers, and community partners - to understand how systems actually work on the ground. From there, we co-create technology that reduces barriers, builds trust, and empowers people to access the resources they need.
In the process, we create solutions that transform systems into human-centered pathways for equity, economic mobility, and community resilience.
In addition, the implementation of iLab tools generates credible data available for evaluation and research efforts that maximize learning and fuel long-term changes to public policy.
Key areas of focus include:
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Seamless systems integration - Connecting fragmented systems for a smoother user experience.
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Trusted community partnerships - Incorporating trusted community-based resources, building on strength of local networks.
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Building a “One Door” approach - Simplifying the journey to find and receive help.
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Responsible AI for social good – Designing ethical, transparent, and accountable applications of AI.
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Fueling economic mobility by supporting caseworkers and clients with trusted information across the ecosystem.
Benefit Navigator Enhancements
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AI Guide integration
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Improved user portals (personal dashboards, workflow support for case workers)
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Expanded childcare options
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Compliance and security auditing
Within the Innovation Lab, we are currently evolving the Benefit Navigator in the following ways:
Current iLab Projects
AI Chatbot
A tool that helps users find and understand benefits and community resources quickly.
Riverside Agentic AI Prototype
Developed with Nava Labs and funded by Google.org, this prototype uses AI to streamline benefit applications and automate data integration.
Disaster Navigator 2.0
A redesigned platform for equitable disaster recovery, based on extensive feedback from survivors and stakeholders.
Future Project Pipeline
Funding Needed
AI Chatbot
Public-facing interface for engaging clients directly
AI Chatbot
Integration of Agentic AI with Benefit Navigator
AI Chatbot
Integration of client databases with Benefit Navigator
AI Chatbot
Living Wage Calculator & Career Pathway Navigator
Turning AI into a Force for Good.
Simplifying Access. Strengthening Trust.
AI can make navigating public benefits faster, clearer, and more human-centered.
Co-Creating Trusted Tools
In partnership with Nava PBC and funded by the Gates Foundation, we piloted an AI-powered benefits chatbot built on the Benefit Navigator Information Hub, vetted policy documents and resources. Tested across six user agencies, it was recognized within the field as a model for safe and effective use of AI in public service. Our next steps will be to fully integrate the chatbot within the Benefit Navigator.
Prototyping What’s Next
With support from a Google.org Social Impact AI grant, we’re now developing an Agentic AI prototype with Nava Labs to streamline benefit applications through smarter data integration. The project, underway with Riverside County, is expected to launch in December 2025.
Amplifi Innovation Lab
We are proud to collaborate with leading partners across technology, social services, and policy:
Fueling Systems Change
Our founding organization, Imagine LA, created the Benefit Navigator to fuel fundamental and sustained changes to our public benefits system. The Benefit Navigator, and its user data, will be used by policymakers to analyze policy efficacy while testing policy changes via simulation.
Imagine LA belongs to numerous benefit access and benefit policy collaborations. We are always seeking policy partnerships to utilize our data-driven tools to model and determine optimal benefit policies. We seek systems change that eliminates benefit cliffs and plateaus while facilitating; simple access to benefits, finding and maintaining stable housing, income growth, and decreasing administrative burden.
The ultimate impact.
We are proud to collaborate with leading partners across technology, social services, and policy:
Fueling Systems Change
The ultimate impact.
We created the Benefit Navigator to inform changes to public policy that decrease administrative burden and promote economic mobility. The Benefit Navigator, and its user data, will be used by policymakers to analyze policy efficacy while testing policy changes via simulation.
Our tools don’t just improve access—they inform smarter policy. The Benefit Navigator and other iLab projects provide data that help policymakers test reforms that:
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Reduce administrative burden
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Eliminate benefit cliffs and plateaus
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Expand access to housing and income supports
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Advance economic mobility and equity
Amplifi partners with coalitions and policymakers to model and evaluate policies that make social safety nets stronger and fairer.
We are proud to collaborate with leading partners across technology, social services, and policy:
Fueling Systems Change
The ultimate impact.
We created the Benefit Navigator to inform changes to public policy that decrease administrative burden and promote economic mobility. The Benefit Navigator, and its user data, will be used by policymakers to analyze policy efficacy while testing policy changes via simulation.
Our tools don’t just improve access—they inform smarter policy. The Benefit Navigator and other iLab projects provide data that help policymakers test reforms that:
Reduce administrative burden
Eliminate benefit cliffs and plateaus
Expand access to housing and income supports
Advance economic mobility and equity
Amplifi partners with coalitions and policymakers to model and evaluate policies that make social safety nets stronger and fairer.
