In today’s world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a defining aspect of our societies. While AI offered incredible opportunities, it also presented significant challenges. This project aimed to address the urgent needs and challenges related to AI competence and awareness among young people. Many of them showed a lack of understanding regarding AI. They often used various AI-driven tools without considering the potential consequences, and their behavior frequently lacked responsibility toward both others and themselves. One major challenge was the AI competence gap, where young individuals often lacked sufficient exposure to and understanding of AI and its broad effects. To tackle this issue, there was an urgent need to bridge this gap by equipping them with the knowledge necessary to effectively navigate an AI-driven world. Misinformation and polarization were also worsened by AI, worsening the spread of false information and deepening societal divides. It was crucial to teach young people how to evaluate the truthfulness of online content and combat misinformation. The rise of AI-driven platforms disrupted traditional education, potentially diminishing the development of critical thinking and creativity. Therefore, it was necessary to promote the development of future-ready skills that harness AI’s potential while preserving and even enhancing creativity and critical thinking. AI’s increasing role in society had raised concerns that students might rely too heavily on technology, diminishing their critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and overall learning. Employment disruption posed a significant challenge as AI technologies shook up job markets, leading to concerns about unemployment and underemployment. The use of AI in the workplace is expected to eliminate many jobs. Although AI is expected to create and improve job opportunities, education would play a crucial role in preventing long-term unemployment and ensuring a skilled workforce, as noted by the European Parliament in its discussion of “Artificial intelligence: threats and opportunities.” To address this concern, it is important to prepare young people for AI-driven job markets by providing them with relevant skills. Ethical tech engagement was another crucial issue, with ethical considerations around AI use often being overlooked. To address this, it was vital to promote responsible tech engagement, ensuring that young people were equipped to make informed and ethical choices when using AI technology in their daily lives. In June 2023, the European Parliament adopted the AI Act, a pioneering set of rules aimed at managing the risks associated with AI. This regulatory framework, designed to protect privacy and freedom of speech, aligned with the European Union’s strong position in the digital industry and business-to-business applications. The AI Act is the first-ever legal framework on AI, which addresses the risks of AI and positions Europe to play a leading role globally. Objectives achieved by participants of the project from CZ, SK, HU, LT, RO, PT: OBJECTIVE 1: ENHANCE AI LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING - Empowered participants with AI literacy and critical thinking abilities. - Equipped them with ability to analyze reliable information, promote well-informed decision-making, and counter the impact of misinformation, polarization, and extremism. - Measurable outcomes: Improvement in participants ability to critically assess digital content and make informed decisions. OBJECTIVE 2: FOSTER COLLABORATIVE LEARNING TO DEVISE SOLUTIONS FOR REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES LINKED TO AI - Peer-to-peer dialogues and collaborative activities promoted cross-cultural understanding and teamwork. - Participants engaged in discussions, shared their perspectives, and worked together to encourage collaboration and problem-solving. - Measurable outcome: Improved cross-cultural understanding and teamwork among participants through peer-to-peer dialogues and problem-solving activities. OBJECTIVE 3: SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE TECH ENGAGEMENT - Provided knowledge about the potential benefits and risks of AI technology. - Enabled participants to make educated choices and participate in dialogues concerning the ethical use of AI in their daily lives. - Measurable outcomes: Increase in participants’ understanding of AI ethics and responsible tech engagement.