BCS Women's AI Series - Fireside Chat with Elena Sinel on Why It’s Important for Teenagers to Get Involved in AI.
Speaker
Elena Sinel
Agenda
12:00 - Event start and Fireside Chat with Elena Sinel on Why It’s Important for Teenagers to Get Involved in AI
13:00 - Event close
Synopsis
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant, futuristic concept—it is rapidly becoming the foundation of every industry today’s young people will step into. This event explores why early engagement with AI is essential for teenagers, not only to prepare them for future careers but to empower them to shape the technology that will define their world. BCS Women hosts Elena Sinel, founder of Teens in AI, to discuss why she launched the organisation, the global impact of its programmes, and how they are equipping young people—especially girls—with the skills and confidence to participate in the AI revolution. We will also hear firsthand perspectives from the winners of the 2025 Teens in AI Hackathon, as well as a young professional currently completing an AI apprenticeship, bringing to life the opportunities available when young people step into this space early.
The conversation will address both the promise and the risks of AI. While AI presents extraordinary career pathways, studies show that women face heightened vulnerability to emerging technologies—but also stand to gain the most when equipped with the right skills and support. The event will also touch on the realities of today’s AI landscape: deepfakes, facial recognition errors, and opaque decision making systems are already part of everyday life. These challenges highlight why greater awareness, digital literacy, and proactive regulation are essential to protect society and build public trust in the technologies shaping our future.
This session aims to inspire, inform, and energise attendees—showcasing why empowering the next generation, particularly girls and young women, is critical to creating a fair, safe, and inclusive AI-driven world.
About the speaker
Elena Sinel is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, AI ethicist and Founder of Teens in AI, launched at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva in 2018. She is recognised for her leadership in AI literacy and AI ethics, advancing practical education frameworks that equip young people to address global challenges. With over a decade’s experience in international development, she has worked with the British Council, United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. A Microsoft Regional Director, she also advised the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence on AI education policy and workforce readiness.
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
This meeting is conducted in accordance with the BCS Code of Conduct for Meetings.
BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us Make IT Good For Society. Join BCS today
Please note: if you have any accessibility needs, please let us know via groups@bcs.uk, and we’ll work with you to make suitable arrangements.
This event is brought to you by: BCSWomen specialist group
