London, UK – 25 September 2024 – Teens in AI, an initiative committed to empowering the next generation to explore a future in technology and artificial intelligence, is excited to announce the launch of a ground-breaking series of Cyber Security courses developed in collaboration with Sage, a Teens in AI Platinum Partner, and a global leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses.

As part of this partnership, Sage, powered by Sage Foundation, is developing a series of AI Adventures courses tailored to teens aged 11 to 19, aimed at providing them with essential cyber security skills. The first course in the series, ‘Understanding Cyber Security’, delivered at beginner level, is set to release on 7 October 2024, with an intermediate course to follow later in the year. 

Our AI Adventures courses are designed to nurture a generation of informed and responsible digital citizens. By exploring the intersection of AI and cyber security, these courses empower teens to understand and address online risks, safeguarding their digital environments. Whether they are new to the field or looking to deepen their understanding, our courses provide the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and secure the digital landscape, fostering a safer and more resilient online future for all.

Aaron Harris, Chief Technology Officer at Sage, comments: “At Sage, we’re deeply committed to empowering the next generation with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world. By partnering with Teens in AI, we’re not only delivering essential cyber security training but also inspiring young people to explore the broader opportunities within technology. These courses are designed to provide teens with the foundational skills needed to navigate today’s complex online landscape, ensuring they have the tools to protect themselves and others as they step into the digital future.“

Sage’s Principal Offensive Security Specialist, Gavin Johnson-Lynn, is delivering the series. He brings over two decades of experience in software development and cyber security. As an ethical hacker, Gavin leverages his expertise to protect business assets and share knowledge through speaking engagements and publications.

Teens in AI Founder and CEO, Elena Sinel, adds: “Cyber security is a crucial field in today’s digital age, and it’s imperative that we equip young people with the knowledge and skills to navigate this landscape safely. Our partnership with Sage allows us to offer top-tier learning experiences that not only educate but also inspire teens to pursue careers in tech and make a positive impact on their communities. It Is especially important for teens to understand the intersection between AI and cyber security, with these courses empowering them to identify online risks, safeguarding their digital environments.”

‘Understanding Cyber Security’ beginner course outline:

Teens will learn to think like both a ‘hacker’ and a ‘defender’ gaining skills that will help them protect both themselves and others online. They will explore the fundamentals of cyber security, and will get hands-on experience with tools like Burp Suite, identify and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications, and understand how to defend against real-world cyber threats. This course covers web traffic analysis, installing and using proxy tools, understanding web vulnerabilities, web security with OWASP and broken access control and injection exploitation. It offers practical learning with challenges and quizzes. It is 3+ hours in duration and delivered 100% online and self-paced for completion over the course of a week. The first course in the series will be available from 7 October 2024. Visit our AI Adventures Courses page to learn more.

As part of the launch programme, Teens in AI is set to host a webinar on Ethical Hacking as part of its Teens in Action Forum series on Thursday, 3 October 2024. Delivered by Sage and powered by Sage Foundation, this webinar is designed to give teens an insider’s view into the world of cyber security. The session will introduce the principles of ethical hacking, demonstrating how professionals use these skills to protect and secure digital landscapes. As well as hear stories of what it is like, as a young professional, to work in cyber security teams. Teens should not miss this opportunity to get a head start and gain insight into what it means to be a digital guardian in today’s interconnected world. Teens can sign up here.

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About Teens in AI

Launched in 2018 at the United Nations AI for Good Global Summit, Teens in AI is a social impact-driven initiative that inspires teens to explore a future in tech and AI through collaborative, hands-on learning experiences. Since its inception, Teens in AI has been instrumental in guiding over 15,000 young minds across 60 countries, leading initiatives that resonate with UN Sustainable Development Goals. It provides teens, aged 12 to 18, the platform and knowledge to create AI solutions with societal benefit at their core. They believe in harnessing technology to create a fair world where everyone has equal opportunity to maximise their potential. By encouraging diverse perspectives, Teens in AI acts as a catalyst for change, inspiring the next generation of responsible leaders, innovators, and technologists from all walks of life to shape the world of tomorrow.

For more information please contact:

Media enquiries: Bev Chislett, Head of Marketing, Teens in AI  bev.chislett@teensinai.com

www.teensinai.com

About Sage

Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of small and mid-sized Businesses served by us, our partners and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our digital network connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality and the climate crisis. 

For more information please contact:

Visit Sage’s website for further information: www.sage.com

In March 2024, Teens in AI Founder & CEO Elena Sinel was invited as part of a select group of voices from the AI community to a private, off-the-record meeting hosted by Google DeepMind. One of the systems they were introduced to as part of their research was DemoStart.

We are delighted to share Google DeepMind’s announcement and launch of two new AI systems that help robots learn and perform complex tasks that require a high level of dexterity. We are even more excited that this comes at a time when, in early 2025, Teens in AI will be releasing two new courses on ROBOTICS (watch this space)!

Learning to tie shoelaces may come easily for people but it’s incredibly difficult for robots to learn, as this level of dexterity requires very precise, fast movements, and a dynamic understanding of the environment and object.

Solving robot dexterity is key to developing useful robots that can assist with many everyday tasks. The Google DeepMind robotics team has two new projects that tackle this challenge:

🤖 ALOHA Unleashed method enabled robots to achieve five highly complex and novel bi-arm manipulation tasks: tie a shoelace, hang a shirt, repair another robot, insert a gear, and clean a kitchen. It applies a diffusion method, predicting robot actions from random noise, similar to how our Imagen model generates images. 

🤖 DemoStart uses reinforcement learning to help robots learn dexterous behaviors from a few demonstrations in simulation and perform in the real world. It requires 100x fewer simulated demonstrations to learn how to solve a task in simulation – like tightening a nut-and-bolt – than what’s usually needed when learning from real world examples for the same purpose.

These AI systems are still a long way from achieving human-level dexterity, but represent an important step towards AI robots that could help people with all kinds of tasks at home, in the workplace and more.

London, UK, 25 April 2024 – Teens in AI is proud to announce the launch of AI Adventures, a strategically pivotal and progressive programme of online, self-paced courses designed to address the global diversity gap in responsible AI education. In collaboration with industry leaders such as Teens in AI Platinum Partner, Sage, AI Adventures offers accessible, industry-driven AI education for teenagers aged 11 to 19 around the world.

AI Adventures delivers on the critical need for skill development and balance of diversity in the ever-evolving tech space, from applied AI to data science and ethics. These short courses are tailored to empower beginner and intermediate learners, even those with no coding experience. The programme delivers practical AI skills whilst enhancing problem-solving and data analysis abilities through engaging, interactive methods, including hands-on projects, assessments and coding exercises.

Sage is partnering with Teens in AI in the development of four AI Adventures courses over the course of their two-year partnership. Leveraging their wealth of expertise and cutting-edge content, Sage will add value to our programme with dynamic resources, ensuring our curriculum remains at the forefront of responsible AI education. Their conceptualisation of course materials will not only deepen understanding but also cultivate the critical thinking skills essential for driving innovation. By providing direct access to Sage’s experts, teens will embark on a transformative journey, empowering them to confidently navigate the intricate landscape of AI with creativity and ingenuity. 

Commenting on this initiative, Aaron Harris, Global Chief Technology Officer at Sage stated, “Unlocking the potential of AI education for tomorrow’s leaders has never been more important. Through our partnership with Teens in AI, we’re dedicated to helping young people learn about AI, develop essential skills, and think critically. Together, we’re on a mission to ensure that emerging technologies can be accessed by all and to prepare the next generation to use them effectively to drive positive change.“

Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE, a current Peer and Spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology in the House of Lords, and long-standing supporter of Teens in AI, added: “In our pursuit to establish the UK as a global hub for AI, it is crucial that we prioritise ethics, sustainability, and inclusivity. As Teens in AI launches its ‘AI Adventures’ programme, we need to recognise the immense potential AI holds to positively impact lives. Our foremost challenge lies in fostering public trust through ethical development and deployment of technology. This means making a concerted effort towards upskilling and diversifying the AI workforce, ensuring it reflects the richness of our society and respects fundamental rights. This initiative is designed to harness the creativity of a whole generation of young innovators who will shape the future of an AI landscape that not only advances innovation but also upholds our collective values of inclusivity, integrity and a sense of responsibility from an early age.“

Teens in AI is dedicated to fostering an inclusive AI ecosystem by promoting AI literacy, education, and awareness across diverse groups of young people. Recent studies, including McKinsey & Company’s research* and the World Economic Forum’s data**, underscore the slow progress in diversifying leadership in tech and AI. The AI Adventures programme actively works to break down these barriers, providing opportunities for everyone, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background, to participate and excel in the dynamic world of technology.

With Elena Sinel, Founder and CEO of Teens in AI, emphasising the programme’s broader goals, stating, “The AI Adventures programme is our response to the growing skills and diversity gap in the tech industry globally. We’re committed to equipping young minds with the tools they need to thrive in a future dominated by AI and technology. Our focus is not only on teaching AI but also on nurturing critical thinking, problem-solving and ethical perspectives.“

With the launch of this new programme, Teens in AI is leaning into its mission of providing flexible learning opportunities for teens worldwide. The programme offers a range of course options, from free to paid, with learning grants available for eligible students. Plans to develop courses in multiple languages, as well as teaching guides, are also underway, further supporting responsible AI education and accessibility, bridging the gap for those seeking entry into tech industries, regardless of their background.

For more information about our AI Adventures programme, visit www.teensinai.com/courses/

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Notes:

** World Economic Forum Report

* McKinsey Report

About Teens in AI

Launched in 2018 at the United Nations AI for Good Global Summit, Teens in AI is a social impact-driven initiative that inspires teens to explore a future in tech and AI through collaborative, hands-on learning experiences. Since its inception, Teens in AI has been instrumental in guiding over 15,000 young minds across 60 countries, leading initiatives that resonate with UN Sustainable Development Goals. It provides teens, aged 12 to 18, the platform and knowledge to create AI solutions with societal benefit at their core. They believe in harnessing technology to create a fair world where everyone has equal opportunity to maximise their potential. By encouraging diverse perspectives, Teens in AI acts as a catalyst for change, inspiring the next generation of responsible leaders, innovators, and technologists from all walks of life to shape the world of tomorrow.

For more information please contact:

Media enquiries: Bev Chislett, Head of Marketing, Teens in AI  bev.chislett@teensinai.com

www.teensinai.com

About Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE

Lord Tim Clement-Jones is a current Peer and Spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology in the House of Lords. He believes change starts with ideas and is achieved by actions. Everyone has the opportunity to make a difference. Through his work, campaigning and public speaking, he hopes to inspire others to find their own voice, and support them to make themselves heard. He is a former Chair of the House of Lords Artificial Intelligence Select Committee and Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence, a Liberal Democrat Peer and their spokesman for Digital in the House of Lords. Tim is a champion of the creative industries and has a broad range of other interests including China and the Middle East, online harms, cancer services and pharmacy. He is President of Ambitious Autism, the national autism education charity, and Chair of the Council of Queen Mary University London and Chair of the Board of Trust Assurance Group Limited the ombudsman and dispute resolution service for energy, telecoms and other services.

Visit is Parliamentary profile and personal websites:

https://members.parliament.uk/member/3396/focus

https://www.lordclementjones.org/

About Sage

Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of small and mid-sized Businesses served by us, our partners and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our digital network connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality and the climate crisis. 

For more information please contact:

Visit Sage’s website for further information: www.sage.com