The initiative “Empowering the Future: AI Education & Community Building in Eastern Slovakia”, implemented by Košice IT Valley in cooperation with AT&T, took place from December 2025 to April 2026. Its goal was not only to deliver a series of one-off activities, but to create a longer-term impact – to support the development of a community, strengthen the education system, and prepare young people and professionals for the challenges of the digital era.
Why AI and why now
Košice IT Valley, together with AT&T, built the project on three pillars – education of young people, support for teachers, and community building. This approach made it possible to reach different target groups while also connecting them with each other.
AI workshops: First steps into the world of technology
One of the main activities were AI workshops for high school students, held in December 2025 and March 2026. Their aim was to present artificial intelligence in a clear and practical way – as a tool that students can actually use.
During the workshops, 73 students aged 16 to 19 explored topics such as prompt engineering, the basics of machine learning, and the use of generative tools for content creation. The sessions also included demonstrations of working with video, images, and automation.
Cybersecurity was also an important focus – students addressed topics such as phishing, password security, and the risks associated with deepfake content.
The workshops were interactive and practice-oriented. In addition to knowledge, they helped develop critical thinking and creativity, and enabled students to better understand how technology relates to their future careers.
AI community in practice: A meet-up that connects
Another important part of the project was the Košice AI Community Meet-up, held in April 2026 at Tabačka Kulturfabrik. The event brought together more than 50 participants – professionals, researchers, students, and technology enthusiasts.
A key part of the program was a keynote delivered by a representative of AT&T, presenting concrete examples of how artificial intelligence is used in practice – from process automation to security aspects of digital solutions.
The panel discussion opened the topic of the real impact of AI on IT companies in the region. The speakers highlighted in particular:
- the need for systematic education in AI,
- the importance of collaboration between companies and schools,
- the importance of retaining talent in the region.
The meet-up showed that there is strong demand in Košice for informal community events where people can exchange experiences, discuss trends, and build new collaborations. This format has become a foundation for further development of the AI community in the region.
Teachers as multipliers of change
A key role in the long-term impact of the project was played by the ZBOROVŇA 2026 conference, held in February 2026 at UVP Technicom. The event focused on STEM teachers – those who have a direct influence on future generations.
The conference combined expert lectures with practical workshops, showing how modern technologies and AI can be integrated into teaching. An important contribution was also the active involvement of AT&T, which presented real-world applications of AI in a business context.
Nearly 100 participants, including 75 educators, gained concrete tools, methodologies, and inspiration that they can immediately apply in their work. Teachers represent a multiplier of impact – the knowledge they gain can be transferred to hundreds of students.
Impact on the community: Meaningful connections
The project created space for interaction between groups that do not usually meet – students, teachers, companies, and professionals from practice. The result is new connections, shared experience, and collaborations that go beyond individual activities.
At the same time, it confirmed that topics such as artificial intelligence and digital skills have strong relevance in the region and significant potential for further development. The project also strengthened the perception of Eastern Slovakia as a region with ambitions in AI and digital technologies.
A strategic investment in the future
An important element of the collaboration was that AT&T acted as an expert guarantor of educational activities. This ensured that the content of the events was based on real-world experience – from practical applications of AI to current cybersecurity challenges.
This collaboration was therefore not only about supporting activities, but about transferring know-how into the region. For AT&T, it also represented an opportunity to engage directly with emerging talent, contribute to its development, and strengthen its presence in the region.
What the collaboration brought in practice
The cooperation with AT&T showed that partnerships create the greatest value when they are not based only on support, but on real involvement in content and activities. In this case, it was not just about organizing events, but about jointly identifying what has real meaning and long-term value for the region.
The involvement of AT&T as an expert guarantor made it possible to bring a practical perspective into education – concrete experience, current topics, and real-life use cases of technology. This proved to be a key factor. Students could see how AI is applied in real environments, teachers gained confidence that they are working with relevant content, and the community had space for open discussion about the direction of the region.
From the partner’s perspective, this was not only about visibility. This type of collaboration creates natural contact with people who will shape the labor market in the coming years – students, young professionals, and educators. It also helps better understand their needs, expectations, and how they think about technology and their future.
This model – where companies actively engage in education – has the potential to deliver long-term impact, not only for individual organizations but for the region as a whole.
What does it mean to be an expert guarantor?
