Ready for the working world of tomorrow
The world of work is changing rapidly - we are convinced that the future will be characterised by close collaboration between humans and AI agents. This makes it all the more important to prepare the next generation for this reality today.
This is precisely where the nationwide education competition FutureMaker AI on. As a joint project of the PwC Foundation, supported by PwC Germany and Microsoft, the initiative pursues a clear goal: young people should Artificial intelligence not only use it, but critically understand it, reflect on it responsibly and actively help shape it. The programme is part of the AI Skilling Alliance (Microsoft) in Germany.
Our work on site in the schools
Today, our team consisting of Florian Schmedt, Melissa Cummings, Veronika Wagner, Lara Bems and Michael Deters visited two different schools. As part of the first module, the kick-off workshop, they visited the Arnold-Janssen-Gymnasium (AJG) and the Private Bischöfliche Fürstenberg-Realschule Recke.
The aim of the interactive workshops was to teach students practical skills for using AI technologies and to sensitise them to ethical issues. The focus was on the following topics:
Understanding AI
It was worked out interactively how AI works and which common myths can be refuted.
Recognising risks
Our colleague Veronika Wagner emphasised the importance of raising awareness of risks such as deepfakes and hallucinations.
Establish rules
The students, who already showed a good instinct for fakes, jointly developed their own binding class rules for the safe use of AI.
Three phases to the AI solution: start of the Team Challenge
The programme FutureMaker AI is structured in three successive modules. Following the successful completion of the first module - the interactive kick-off workshops at the schools - the classes are now entering the second phase of the project: the „Team Challenge“. This practical phase runs from February to April 2026.
Creative solutions
In groups of five, the students develop their own creative solutions.
Social change
The aim is to overcome social challenges through the use of AI.
Project topics
Possible project priorities are climate / sustainable economy, equal access to opportunities, education in transition or strengthening democracy.
Virtual mentoring
During this one-month phase, our corporate volunteers will continue to support the teams as mentors in virtual consultation hours.
The grand finale in May
The Team Challenge will be followed by the third and final module. The highlight of the initiative is the final event, which is planned for the beginning of May. On 6 May, the best ideas will be presented on the big stage at Microsoft in Berlin. There, the projects will be evaluated by a jury - our colleagues will also be present to provide valuable feedback and honour the winners.
If you don't have digital skills today, you will lose opportunities tomorrow.
We are delighted to make a direct contribution to digital education and the future viability of our region through our voluntary commitment.
