Teens in AI, the global social impact organisation inspiring the next generation of responsible AI innovators, has expanded its partnership with Sage, the North East-based leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses, to launch the North East AI Talent Acceleration Programme – a structured AI literacy and talent initiative for young people aged 13–19 across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham.
The programme launches as new research from Teens in AI highlights a growing AI readiness gap among young people. While almost seven in ten (70%) young people surveyed say they use AI every day, nearly half (48%) say their school is not preparing them for a future shaped by AI, despite 94% believing they could see themselves in a future career that uses AI.
Through the programme, students will gain full access to the AI Adventures learning platform and its wider suite of courses, while participating schools receive AI literacy training and career awareness support for teachers and students alike. By connecting education and industry, the programme aims to strengthen the talent pipeline for the North East’s growing AI economy, helping more young people access the opportunities being created across the region.
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Helen Devanny, VP of Sage Foundation, said: “This programme helps turn ambition into opportunity by connecting young people with real-world AI experience, industry expertise, and structured learning opportunities. Our focus at Sage is on ensuring that access to AI education and skills development is widened at pace, so more young people are equipped to progress into the opportunities being created across the region.”
The expanded partnership comes at a pivotal moment for the region. The government recently named Sage as a leading digital technology business in the North East AI Growth Zone, recognised for widening access to technology careers and supporting women in the region to develop AI leadership skills. This new programme contributes to a broader regional ambition to ensure 80,000 students benefit from AI training by 2029, alongside major investment in AI infrastructure and supporting AI adoption across the North East region.
Building on the partnership’s momentum, Sage Foundation is also supporting the development of a new series of AI Adventures courses tailored for 13- to 19-year-olds, including an AI Agent course developed in collaboration with Sage and launched in April 2026.
The partnership between Sage and Teens in AI has already delivered significant impact since it began in 2021:
More than 16,000 young people reached
186 expert Sage volunteers engaged
1,143 volunteer hours contributed as mentors, speakers, judges, and course contributors
59% of participants were girls or from under-represented groups
79% of participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds
Elena Sinel, founder and CEO of Teens in AI, said: “Young people should not have to wait until higher education or employment to access AI learning. Through our long-standing partnership with Sage, we are helping bridge education and industry so that young people can build the skills, confidence and awareness they need earlier in life. This expanded partnership strengthens our shared commitment to making AI education more accessible and connected to real opportunities across the North East.”
Find out more about the North East AI Talent Acceleration Programme and the partnership between Sage and Teens in AI here.
