Day 1 of the Student Forum

Date: 23 June 2025Location: 119th Secondary School “Acad. M. Arnaudov,” Sofia, Bulgaria

IntroductionThe first day of the “AI in Entrepreneurship Learning in Schools” Student Forum kicked off with energy and collaboration. Participants—including students, educators, industry experts, and project partners—gathered to explore how AI can enrich entrepreneurial education, share pilot experiences, and build connections for future collaboration .

Opening & Welcome

At 14:00, the Interactive Bulgaria Foundation and project coordinators welcomed attendees, framing the forum as the culmination of Work Package 4 under the Erasmus+ KA220-SCH project. They reiterated the project’s mission: integrating AI into entrepreneurship learning by developing digital skills, creating an AI toolkit, piloting classroom projects, and fostering international exchange .

Keynote Presentation: Fundamentals of AI in Entrepreneurship Education

Georgi Mladenov, AI Lecturer at SoftUni and AI Advisor at launchlabs Sofia, delivered a compelling keynote on “Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Entrepreneurship Education.” He illustrated practical ways AI tools support market research, business modeling, and customer engagement in student ventures. Ethical considerations and responsible AI use were emphasized as foundational for all classroom applications .

Interactive Q&A & Expert Panel

Following the keynote, students and teachers engaged in a lively Q&A, asking about implementing AI tools in their projects, addressing challenges like data privacy, resource access, and inclusivity. An expert panel—comprising external advisors and tech-sector peers—offered insights on bridging theory and practice, advising scaffolded approaches tailored to varying skill levels .

Breakout Workshops: Sharing Pilot Projects

In parallel workshops, mixed teams from partner schools (Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, Austria) presented their AI-enhanced pilot projects. Examples included using simple machine learning models for customer segmentation and AI-driven analytics to validate business ideas. Attendees provided structured peer feedback aligned with the forum’s goal to gather insights for refining future iterations .

Networking and Informal Exchange

The day wrapped up with an informal networking session. Participants connected across institutions, discussing potential partnerships, sharing AI Resource Center materials from Work Package 3, and exploring joint initiatives or upcoming transnational events. These exchanges laid groundwork for sustained collaboration and knowledge sharing beyond the forum .

Key Takeaways from Day 1

• Practical AI Integration: Real-world examples underscored how AI tools can be introduced at school level in manageable, ethical ways.

• Peer Learning: Workshops demonstrated the value of sharing pilot experiences across countries, highlighting common challenges and innovative solutions.

• Ethics & Inclusivity: Ongoing emphasis on responsible AI use and ensuring equitable access set a tone for subsequent sessions.

• Network Building: Early connections forged a sense of community, critical for sustaining project momentum.

  
  

Closing for Day 1

Participants left with concrete ideas and resources to refine their AI-entrepreneurship pilots. Feedback collected during workshops will inform adjustments to lesson plans and toolkit materials. Day 1’s collaborative spirit set a positive tone for the deeper dives planned on Day 2.