In partnership with Red Hat, we’re on a mission to equip teens with the skills and confidence to tackle real-world challenges using AI. Together, we’re bridging the gap between education and industry—because the next generation of innovators starts here.

As mentors, judges and workshop leaders, Red Hatters offered their time, insight and encouragement — helping teens build confidence, gain real-world skills, and explore how AI can be used to create positive change in their communities.

In her latest blog, Claire Delalande, Vice President of EMEA Marketing at Red Hat, reflects on the programme and the impact it’s had — not only on the young participants, but on the mentors themselves. From tackling issues such as sustainability and mental health, to building teamwork and critical thinking skills, the young people left with more than just new knowledge. They left knowing they belonged in tech.

In her latest blog, Claire Delalande, Vice President of EMEA Marketing at Red Hat, reflects on the programme and the impact it’s had — not only on the young participants, but on the mentors themselves. From tackling issues such as sustainability and mental health, to building teamwork and critical thinking skills, the young people left with more than just new knowledge. They left knowing they belonged in tech.

Embedding Responsible AI: What Organisations Need to Know

Teens in AI Founder and CEO, Elena Sinel, features alongside industry experts in a new blog by 1000 Black Voices: Why Responsible AI Matters: A Practical Guide for Modern Organisations. Her contribution centres on a powerful reminder that ethics and inclusion must be at the heart of all AI development:

“To me, responsible AI starts with a simple principle: do no harm. Every organisation developing or deploying AI must ask – who benefits, who is left behind, and at what cost?”

We’re sharing this piece because it aligns with our mission at Teens in AI — to ensure young people are equipped to build AI that is not only innovative but also fair, transparent, and socially responsible.

The blog explores how organisations can embed responsible AI practices into their operations by prioritising inclusion, ethical oversight, continuous learning, and critical thinking. It calls for stronger frameworks, improved training, and a commitment to both legal compliance and long-term social impact.

The Embassy of Nepal in London will host the Nepal-UK Tech Forum, a landmark event aimed at deepening digital and investment ties between the United Kingdom and Nepal. Bringing together senior diplomats, policymakers, investors, business leaders, and technologists, the forum seeks to position Nepal as a rising digital economy and innovation hub.

We are delighted to accept His Excellency, Ambassador Mr. Chandra Kumar Ghimire’s invitation to Elena Sinel, Teens in AI’s Founder & CEO to join a panel discussion.

Format: Nepal-UK Tech Forum 2025

Theme: Fostering Digital Trade and Investment: Strengthening Bilateral Tech Ties

Date: 4 July 2025

Venue: Embassy of Nepal, London

Under the theme “Fostering Digital Trade and Investment: Strengthening Bilateral Tech Ties,” the day-long event will showcase opportunities for collaboration in AI, cloud computing, fintech, edtech, cybersecurity, healthtech and more. Discussions will focus on enabling cross-border innovation, attracting investment, and building sustainable partnerships in the tech sector – with a strong emphasis on public-private collaboration and diaspora-led entrepreneurship.

Panel Discussion:
Changing Landscapes of Digital Trade in Nepal-UK Relations: Success, Challenge & Way Forward

Elena Sinel, Founder and CEO of Teens in AI, will speak on the panel “Changing Landscapes of Digital Trade in Nepal-UK Relation: Success, Challenge & Way Forward,” alongside tech leaders from both countries. Her inclusion highlights the growing importance of ethical AI, youth innovation, and inclusive approaches to digital transformation in shaping future international partnerships.

“It’s an honour to contribute to this important dialogue between the UK and Nepal,” said Elena Sinel. “As we explore digital trade and investment, we must ensure young people are not only included in the conversation but are actively shaping the future of responsible and inclusive innovation. Initiatives like this create the foundations for meaningful, long-term collaboration.”

The Forum represents a strategic moment to expand cooperation between the UK and Nepal, not only in trade and investment, but also in developing responsible and inclusive technology ecosystems.

We can’t say much (yet), but picture this:

👥 15 teens | 📍 One secret London location | 💡One seriously cool challenge | A day packed with ideas, experiments, and a whole lot of tech … the rest? Strictly hush-hush!

Let’s just say we brought together a group of our sharpest thinkers, the kind who question everything, break things to rebuild them better, and don’t settle for “good enough”.

Call them our X-Men. Our X-Women. Our secret squad. They took on something ambitious, something that matters … but for now, it’s all under wraps.

No spoilers. No sneak peeks. Just … imagine what happens when you mix talent, creativity, and a mystery brief in one buzzing London space!

We’re building something. And when the time’s right, you’ll be the first to know. Stay tuned. Something big is brewing!

London, UK – 23 June 2025 – Teens in AI, a social impact-driven initiative that inspires young people to explore futures in responsible tech and AI through collaborative, hands-on learning, is proud to announce the return of its global AI4Good Incubator, taking place from 28 July to 1 August 2025. With the support of our Platinum Partner, Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll tech for small and mid-sized businesses, we aim to provide youth with the tools and resources they need to drive innovation and make a difference in their communities. 

Teens in AI’s partnership with Sage is powered by Sage Foundation, which enables Sage colleagues and partners to tackle inequality and create access to opportunity in its communities through volunteering and fundraising. Through the AI4Good Incubator, Teens in AI and Sage Foundation hope to harness technology to create a fairer and more diverse tech industry where everyone has equal opportunity to maximise their potential.

Now in its fourth year, the AI4Good Incubator is a 5-day global virtual bootcamp for teens aged 12–18 work in teams to develop ethical, AI-driven solutions to some of the world’s most pressing climate-related challenges taking inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the support of Platinum Partner Sage, the programme equips young people with the tools, mentorship and inspiration they need to become change-makers in their communities.

Open to all – regardless of prior experience or background – it brings together young minds passionate about technology, equity and impact. Participants join from around the world, working in diverse teams and receiving guidance from leading industry experts. As part of our bold strategy to scale the AI4Good Incubator, 2025 marks two major milestones: our first in-person programme in South Africa – led by our IWD Global Techathon 2025 Community Award winners – and a wider focus on tackling even more UN SDGs. 

Last year, 58% of participants identified as female or non-binary, and 75% came from diverse ethnic backgrounds*. With Sage, Teens in AI champions diversity as key to building better solutions and shaping a tech future that works for everyone.

This year’s theme, “Planet in Balance ~ Land, Sea and Sky”, focuses on United Nations SDGs 13, 14 and 15. These include: taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (13); conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources (14); and protecting and restoring ecosystems on land, halting biodiversity loss and managing forests and land sustainably (15).

Aaron Harris, Chief Technology Officer at Sage, comments: “Our continued partnership with Teens in AI reflects our belief that young people have the creativity and conviction to lead meaningful change. By supporting the AI4Good Incubator, we’re investing in a new generation of technologists who value ethics, equity and sustainability. This programme doesn’t just teach AI – it encourages young people to think critically, act boldly and use technology to tackle real environmental challenges. It’s inspiring to see the solutions they bring to life – and a reminder that the future of tech is in good hands.” 

The 2024 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Progress Report** paints a stark picture. Just 15% of climate-related targets are on track. Ocean acidification is worsening, jeopardising marine biodiversity and food security. Land degradation affects over 3.2 billion people, and more than one million species remain at risk of extinction. These cascading crises call for bold, youth-led innovation—the kind the AI4Good Incubator is designed to unlock.

Elena Sinel, Founder and CEO of Teens in AI comments: “Young people are not waiting to be told how to solve the climate crisis – they’re stepping up and building the solutions themselves. Through the AI4Good Incubator, we’re giving them the knowledge, support and platform to apply ethical AI to the most urgent challenges facing our planet. The future is not only theirs to inherit – it’s theirs to shape.”

Over the five-day programme, participants will ideate, build and refine their projects with the guidance of expert mentors. At the end of the week, teams will pitch to senior leaders for feedback and a chance to win prizes. Previous winners went on to submit their projects to Oxford-Said Climate Challenge and were flown to Dubai to compete live! 

In the words of one of last year’s alumni, “It was a whole new world to me! I was expecting excellent work, good interaction and participation with my team, and [the experience] exceeded my expectations. Every lesson was educational and interesting. It was interesting to find solutions for the problems caused by humans and how we can use AI to solve them. It was amazing!” – Joy, age 15, from Ghana.

Notes:

* Diverse ethnic backgrounds = Black/African American, Hispanic, Latino/Spanish, Middle Eastern/North African and Asian; the balance includes ‘Other Ethnic Background’ not stated, ‘Prefer Not To Say’, and White/Caucasian.

** United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2024/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2024.pdf

• This comprehensive report provides the latest global data and analysis on progress toward the 2030 Agenda, including detailed insights into climate action (SDG 13), life below water (SDG 14), and life on land (SDG 15). It highlights that only 17% of SDG targets are currently on track, with nearly half showing minimal or moderate progress, and over one-third having stalled or regressed.

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 20,500+ young minds across 97 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

Over the past two years, Teens in AI and skincare leader Beiersdorf joined forces to empower under-resourced youth through the Care Beyond Skin Hackathon series. Together, we delivered nine in-person hackathons across Europe, giving hundreds of teens (ages 12–18) hands-on experience in technology and AI.

This collaboration reached underserved communities, providing participants with a fun, practical introduction to tech skills and values-driven learning. “If this is the future, we’re in good hands”, said Ana Maria Morales Schmid (Beiersdorf Country Manager, Spain & Portugal) of the young innovators, “They brought the brains, the heart, and just the right amount of bold.”

In line with Beiersdorf’s mission to “Care Beyond Skin”, the hackathon series specifically targeted teens who might otherwise lack such opportunities. The events paired expert mentorship with collaborative projects, challenging teams to develop AI-for-Good solutions addressing real United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Every hackathon was more than a coding contest – participants emerged with confidence, creativity, and a stronger sense of care for society. The goal was to provide under-resourced youth with an introduction to the world of technology and AI, fostering their dreams and future success.

Key Impact Highlights

➡️ 9 in-person hackathons:

A series of nine events across the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, brought hands-on AI experiences to under-resourced communities.

➡️ 438 teen participants (ages 12–18):

Hundreds of young people took part, with 54% identifying as female or non-binary and 65% from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

➡️ 88% now pursuing tech/AI:

In post-event surveys, nearly 9 in 10 participants said they are certain they want to study or work in technology or AI.

➡️ Built AI-for-Good:

Each hackathon challenged teams to develop creative AI solutions for real UN SDG problems, from health to sustainability.

Industry support: Leading organisations supported the series. Mentors and judges from Microsoft, Uber, Bolt, Salesforce, Deloitte, Airbus, Capgemini and others – as well as partners like the Spanish Red Cross – provided guidance, workshops and support at every event.

Voices of Impact

Students and mentors alike came away inspired. “I really learnt how to think out of the box – not to always stay in my comfort zone”, said Mensah (16), a hackathon participant. This sentiment – about growth, confidence and bold thinking – was echoed by Beiersdorf’s own leadership. Emilie Joubert (then VP Human Resources Europe, Beiersdorf, and hackathon judge) reflected on the experience: “It was an honour and so much fun to accompany all those teens and watching them discover their own inspiration and power to make an impact!”.

These testimonials highlight that the programme was about more than code. Beyond learning to programme or train models, teens gained teamwork skills, creative problem-solving, and a sense of purpose. They built friendships, presented ideas to real judges, and discovered that they – even in their teens – can shape technology to benefit people and planet.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate these achievements, Teens in AI and Beiersdorf extend heartfelt thanks for everyone’s contributions. We are grateful to Beiersdorf for investing in youth and diversity, and to our mentors and partners for their committed support.

Delivered by the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) and Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER), we are proud to announce that our Founder, Elena Sinel, will be speaking at the high-level conference Women Building Resilient Communities, held during London Climate Action Week 2025.

Women Building Resilient Communities Conference as part of London Climate Action Week 2025
Host: The Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) and Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER)
When: 24 June 2025
Location: The Royal Academy of Engineering, London

The conference is designed to connect young women leaders with changemakers from across the public, private, NGO, STEM, and environmental sectors.

Affiliated with London Climate Action Week 2025, the event will convene global leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers, and sustainability champions to spotlight female-led solutions shaping a more sustainable, equitable future.

Elena Sinel’s Session: AI, Climate & Urban Futures

As part of the Short Talk Series running during the conference, Elena Sinel, Founder of Teens in AI, will deliver a TED-style presentation on:

🕐 Time: 12:10 – 12:30
🎤 Session: AI, Climate & Urban Futures
📍 Format: Brief talks from grassroots activists and climate leaders sharing bold ideas, personal journeys, and calls to action

Elena’s session will spotlight how AI is shaping urban environments and climate solutions — particularly when led by young innovators and underrepresented voices.

The conference will explore five critical themes:

🛡️Food Security & Climate Resilience: Tackling food system vulnerabilities through sustainable and regenerative agriculture, agri-tech, and climate adaptation.
🛡️AI, Data & Gender-Responsive Climate Action: Understanding the impact of climate change on women and girls using AI and data-driven insights.
🛡️Bridging the Climate Finance Gap: Promoting access to climate finance for female-led innovation.
🛡️Inclusive Climate Finance Models: Creating financial frameworks that drive inclusive climate entrepreneurship.
🛡️Future Leadership in Climate & Sustainability: Supporting education, entrepreneurship, and human skills development for the next generation.

We’d be delighted if you could join the workshop ~ Click the link below to find out more and sign up!

Elena Sinel, Founder and CEO of Teens in AI, was invited to speak at one of the most high-profile events in the UK tech calendar — London Tech Week. The invitation came from Streamly, the dedicated on-demand platform of London Tech Week, offering a space for some of the most important conversations in technology today.

Event: London Tech Week Live Interview

Format: Interview discussing AI Education and Inclusion

Date: 11 June 2025

Location: London Tech Week, Olympia, London

Elena took part in a live interview as part of Streamly’s thought leadership programme, speaking on AI education and inclusion — a topic she’s spent the past decade championing. Positioned on the Grand Hall Gallery, directly across from the Keynote Stage, the session was an opportunity to spotlight why the UK must act now to ensure no young person is left behind in the AI revolution.

London Tech Week’s invitation recognised Elena’s leadership in shaping global conversations around how we prepare young people – especially those from underrepresented backgrounds – to understand, question, and shape the future of AI.

In the interview, Elena made a compelling case for embedding AI literacy across the UK education system – not as a future ambition, but an urgent national priority. She argued that giving young people the ability to understand, question, and build AI is as essential as teaching them to read or write – and must be approached with the same scale and seriousness.

But sparking interest through one-off events like hackathons isn’t enough. Without long-term investment in infrastructure, mentorship, and inclusive role models, the spark quickly fades. Many young people – particularly girls and those from underserved communities – are shut out by barriers that start early and compound over time. For Elena, the answer lies in embedding AI education into the mainstream, training teachers, funding grassroots access, and building systems that don’t just reach the privileged few – but every young person, everywhere.