AI is quickly becoming part of everyday life for young people. In 2025, nearly two-thirds of 16–24-year-olds in the EU used generative AI — almost twice the rate of the overall adult population.

The question is no longer whether students will use AI, but whether they will learn to use it critically and turn it into a tool for building.

That is the idea behind AI Talents, a new module within Lithuanian Junior Achievement’s accelerator_x programme, developed together with Tesonet.

The year-long programme is designed for motivated students in grades 9–12 who want to go beyond everyday AI use and apply it to building real products and student companies.

Beyond prompting

AI Talents focuses on moving from simple AI use to intentional problem-solving.

Students will learn how to choose the right tools, assess AI-generated output, understand when human judgement is needed, and navigate topics such as data security, authorship, ethics, and responsibility.

“Being able to write a prompt is no longer a distinctive skill. Real competence begins when a young person can direct AI, validate the result, and use it to bring an idea to life <…>.” says Andželika Rusteikienė, CEO at LJA.

AI as a tool for building

The module is integrated into LJA’s entrepreneurship programme, meaning students will use AI throughout the process of creating a student company.

They will identify a problem, research user needs, build and test a solution, create a business model, and assess its market potential. AI will support them along the way — from analysing information and testing hypotheses to prototyping and improving the product.

The real test will not be a grade, but the market: does the solution work, and does anyone want it?

Bringing Tesonet experience into the programme

Tesonet will contribute to the programme and bring in AI, product, and startup professionals to share practical experience from building technology for international markets.

Students will also get hands-on access to nexos.ai and Hostinger AI Builder to develop their own solutions.

“We want young people to experience AI not as another technology to read about, but as something they can actually build with. By contributing our expertise and technology, we want to help them understand AI better and discover what they themselves can create with it,” says Simona Laiconaitė, Director of Tesonet Foundation.

Skills beyond AI

According to the World Economic Forum, 86% of employers expect AI and information-processing technologies to transform their businesses by 2030.

At the same time, skills such as analytical and creative thinking, curiosity, flexibility, leadership, and collaboration are becoming increasingly important.

OECD research also shows that access to generative AI alone does not guarantee better learning. Used with a clear purpose, however, it can support critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

That is why AI Talents is built around learning by doing.

The year-long remote programme will bring together 150 students once a week, selected based on motivation, entrepreneurial potential, and interest in problem-solving.

By the end, the goal is not to know more AI tools. It is to have built and tested something real.