Who We Are
About CPI | Who We Are
The CyberPsych Institute (CPI) empowers workforces, communities & individuals in an era defined by synthetic media and AI disruption.
OUR MISSION IS CLEAR:
We explore the fast-moving terrain of emergent AI through a multidisciplinary lens TO ADVOCATE FOR HUMAN-CENTEREDNESS TO REMAIN A GUIDING LIGHT at the crux of technological innovation.
In simple terms, CPI:
✔️ Protects people
✔️ Prepares communities
✔️ Promotes ethically-humane innovation
Our more formal mission statement is as follows:
The CyberPsych Institute (CPI) champions ethical, human-centered approaches to AI and emerging technologies by advancing public literacy, advocating for protective policy, and educating communities, industries, and institutions on the psychological and societal impacts of AI innovation.
As of October 13, 2025
CPI has operated quietly for the past two years as an independent initiative and evolving aspiration.
Our founder, Mayra Ruiz-McPherson, launched CPI from what she found to be a lack of multidisciplinary AI literacy across the board; from schools and communities to the news media and beyond. This observation became increasingly more notable as she presented a range of humane AI topics to domestic groups and audiences abroad.
What began as a deep concern over the general public’s lack of awareness about the scale and speed of AI’s disruptive potential has since grown into a living, breathing organization committed to fostering workforce development, community education, and policy advocacy.
We strengthen trust and safety between people and innovative AI through cyberpsychological and neuroethical approaches.
CYBERPSYCHOLOGY
We believe that every conversation about technology is, at its core, a conversation about people — because without people, there’d be no users, no audiences, no market, no revenue, and no innovation that lasts.
NEUROTECH ETHICS
As interest in neurotech and neuroethical implications grow, our guidelines help developers design, deploy features and services that protect thinking, privacy, and choice.
Though we are not yet a 501(c)(3), the process is actively underway. We anticipate formally announcing our nonprofit status by the end of 2025, so stay tuned.
We’re actively identifying key partnerships and alliances — not just locally (though our Loudoun County backyard’s hugely important) but also state-wide, regionally, and domestically. International collaborations are also welcome.
We’re also evaluating grant and fundraising opportunities — we’re not interested in federal dollars; mainly, our focus is public funding by way of (non-federal) grants, foundations, endowments, donations, and a range of community and corporate sponsorships.
Interested? — We’re open to creative suggestions and innovative ideas for synergetic and meaningful collaborations.
Contact us at thecyberpsychinstitute@pm.me.
We invite you to help shape our journey.
Whether you’re able to donate, volunteer, attend our events, share our resources, or simply amplify our message, your support helps us move from aspiration to advocacy.
Thank you learning more about The CyberPsych Institute.
The AI and neurotech era is here.
Let’s not sit on the sidelines any longer.
Here’s what you can do next:
- Donate funds (we need a surge of public funds to launch and operate)
- Get involved by attending our events or volunteering
- Help us get the word out by sharing our URLs and content
- Learn more about our technology focus