In early October, the ancient stone bridge of Ponte de Lima—nestled in a quiet, historical town in northwest Portugal—witnessed an unusual arrival. This time, rather than the typical flow of tourists, a diverse group of 27 participants from across Europe crossed its path. Ranging in age from 18 to over 50, they were students, teachers, and youth workers hailing from Bulgaria, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Italy, Latvia, and Romania. United by a shared purpose, they had come to join an Erasmus+ Training Course titled “AI Academy: The Young Entrepreneurs Hub.”
The course, held from October 10th to 18th, aimed to empower participants with AI tools and entrepreneurial skills that could help them create meaningful projects, whether in business or community-building. The group spent the week engaging in dynamic, non-formal educational activities like brainstorming sessions, role plays, and team-building exercises. With this practical approach, the program offered a hands-on look at how AI could transform the landscape of startups and social enterprises, turning lofty dreams into actionable plans.
While artificial intelligence is often depicted in futuristic and sometimes daunting terms, the program aimed to demystify it, showing participants how to harness AI in practical ways. From market research to task automation, AI presents many possibilities for new ventures and social impact projects. Participants explored how, with the right AI tools, they could better understand customer needs, streamline operations, and enhance decision-making to build sustainable businesses that foster social inclusion.
Throughout their week in Ponte de Lima, the participants worked in international teams to design innovative project ideas, experimenting with AI as a core resource for problem-solving and operational efficiency. Each activity was carefully crafted to enhance cross-cultural collaboration and build a community spirit that will last beyond the project. Through these collaborative efforts, participants developed new skills, from project management to digital literacy, and left the course with the confidence to bring these insights into their communities.
As the course drew to a close, many participants expressed a sense of inspiration, ready to apply their newfound knowledge back home. Though they may have started as strangers with varying backgrounds, they left Ponte de Lima as a close-knit team, united by a commitment to the potential of AI in entrepreneurship and social innovation. Whether they go on to launch their startups or share their learning with others, each participant is now equipped with the tools to embrace this transformative technology and inspire others to do the same.
The “AI Academy: The Young Entrepreneurs Hub” experience proved to be more than just a training course; it was a bridge—much like the one in Ponte de Lima—connecting Europe’s future leaders with the evolving world of artificial intelligence. The journey of learning and collaboration may have only just begun, but the impact will undoubtedly resonate long into the future.
