As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly woven into daily life, major telecommunications providers are developing educational initiatives aimed at equipping young people with the knowledge and competencies needed to thrive in an AI-enabled workplace. These efforts span from introducing primary school children to AI fundamentals through to offering university students hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies.
Nokia
The Finnish company has joined forces with Elisa and Foundation PS to establish an educational programme designed to familiarize pupils with artificial intelligence, its operational mechanisms, and its societal implications.
Through this initiative, learners will gain insight into how AI functions, along with understanding both its potential applications and inherent constraints. The programme leverages an AI learning robot named "Bella", combined with robotics equipment, digital platforms and instructor-facilitated sessions, to provide students with a grounded, practical introduction to AI aligned with Finnish educational standards.
Delivery partners include JA's Yrityskylä and IchiZero Oy, with the scheme scheduled to commence across four Finnish locations in September 2026. During its inaugural year, the programme targets engagement with approximately 19,000 sixth-grade students, with the intention of developing a scalable model for broader rollout throughout Finland and internationally.
Nokia Chief Legal and Administrative Officer Esa Niinimäki stated: "Co-creation across technology, education and research is essential to ensure that AI is used safely and for the benefit of society. This program exemplifies how AI can be introduced in schools in a structured and responsible way and demonstrates of Nokia's approach to bridging the digital divide together with our customers and other partners, in this instance through digital skill building"
BT Group
The British telecommunications operator operates the Work Ready programme, which engages students between ages 11 and 14 in learning about AI and developing awareness of both its opportunities and associated risks. Working alongside educational professionals, the initiative seeks to cultivate the interpersonal, practical and technical competencies essential for success in digitally-oriented careers.
Ericsson
Ericsson has established a partnership with UNIE University, which operates under the Planeta Formación y Universidades umbrella, to facilitate a new Master of Science degree programme focused on AI and Deep Learning. The course is scheduled to begin in October 2026, with Ericsson serving as an industrial collaborator.
The collaboration seeks to provide students with deeper comprehension of how artificial intelligence operates in practical settings, with particular emphasis on applications within telecommunications. The company will collaborate with the academic institution to bridge the gap between theoretical instruction and real-world professional practice.
Juan Olivera, President of Ericsson Spain, remarked: "AI is not just a technology trend. It is the defining force of our industry's future. At Ericsson, we are already embedding AI into the critical processes and systems of mobile networks, while simultaneously building the next generation of networks to carry massive AI traffic at scale. Partnerships like this one with UNIE Universidad are essential to ensuring the talent ecosystem keeps pace with that ambition".
