22 September–14 October 2026 | Connected Cup, Brussels | In person

Europe’s AI rules are being developed just a few streets away from where young people study, work and build their futures. Yet the people who will live with these rules are too rarely included in the conversation.

From 21 September to 16 October, JA Europe will host three youth-focused sessions at Connected Cup, a temporary coffee and events space created by Google Europe and design agency BUMP in Brussels’ EU Quarter ahead of AI Innovation Month.

Developed together with JA Europe’s Belgian member Vlaamse Jonge Ondernemingen vzw (Vlajo), the sessions will bring young Europeans, teachers, innovators, policymakers and AI leaders into the same room to explore how artificial intelligence can serve the next generation.

Please note: Registration is required only for the first session, Ukraine, AI and Youth, on 22 September. The two subsequent sessions organised with Vlajo are not open for registration.

Why attend?

The programme is designed for:

• Secondary-school students and teachers exploring the role of AI in education.
• University students, freelancers and young professionals interested in building AI-powered solutions.
• Young innovators and entrepreneurs shaping Europe’s digital future.
• Educators, policymakers and organisations working at the intersection of technology, education and youth participation.
• AI developers, businesses and institutions seeking to understand what young people expect from the technology.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Hear perspectives from Ukrainian educators and young innovators on digitalisation under exceptional circumstances.
• Discuss how AI is already being used in classrooms and how it could shape schools by 2030.
• Develop ideas for AI-powered solutions to real-world challenges faced by young people in Europe.
• Connect directly with people who build, use and regulate AI.
• Ensure that youth perspectives are part of the dialogue shaping Europe’s AI future.

Programme at a glance

22 September – Ukraine, AI and Youth

A conversation with a Ukrainian teacher, a young Ukrainian innovator, JA Ukraine, Google.org and the European Commission.

The framing is deliberate: rather than asking only what Ukraine needs from Europe, this session will explore what Europe can learn from a country that has digitised under fire.

Registration is required to attend this session.
Register here

12 October – From AI in Today’s Classroom to the School of Tomorrow

An interactive workshop for 20 secondary-school students and their teachers.

Participants will explore how young people actually use AI, how to use it responsibly and effectively, and what they believe school should look like in 2030.

This session is organised with Vlajo and is not open for registration.

14 October – From Real-World Problems to AI-Powered Solutions

An interactive workshop for university students, freelancers, young professionals and AI start-up teams.

Together, participants will identify challenges faced by people their age and design the AI-powered solution they wish existed in Europe.

This session is organised with Vlajo and is not open for registration.

The order of the sessions is intentional. The younger participants will first set out what they want AI to do for education. A few days  later, the next generation of innovators will be asked to turn their vision of AI into practical ideas.

Across all three sessions, one principle remains central: young people should not simply be mentioned in discussions on AI. They should help shape them.

Practical information

Dates: 22 September, 12 October and 14 October 2026
Location: Connected Cup, Rue d’Arlon 80, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Format: In person

Registration: Registration is required only for the Ukraine, AI and Youth session on 22 September. The two sessions organised with Vlajo are by invitation only and not open for registration.

Full programme at Connected Cup, an AI pop-up by Google: View the programme
Register for the Ukraine session: Register here

Organised by: JA Europe, together with Vlaamse Jonge Ondernemingen vzw (Vlajo)
Hosted at: Connected Cup, an AI pop-up by Google

Category: European Events Partner Events Youth AI Education
Location: Brussels
Date: 22 September–14 October 2026
Duration: Three sessions