Empowering Youth: AI and Metaverse Workshops at the Digital Skills Festival 2023

Executive summary

The Prince's Trust Cymru Digital Skills Festival 2023, sponsored by Admiral, tackled the digital skills gap among young people in Wales. Bykov-Brett Enterprises delivered workshops on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the metaverse, reaching over 100 participants with hands-on experience and practical insights. The event marked a crucial step in equipping the next generation with essential digital skills for careers in tech.

Introduction

The Prince's Trust Cymru, in collaboration with Admiral, launched the Digital Skills Festival 2023 to address the growing digital skills gap in Wales. Bykov-Brett Enterprises played a key role by delivering specialised workshops focused on AI and the metaverse. These sessions were designed to inspire and educate young people aged 16-30, giving them the tools and knowledge to navigate a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Challenges

The festival set out to address three core challenges:

• Digital skills gap, the widening divide in digital literacy and tech skills among young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Engagement, motivating participation from a demographic often disengaged from traditional educational and career pathways.
• Introduction to advanced technologies, offering young people their first exposure to sophisticated digital concepts such as AI and the metaverse, which are critical to the future of work.

Solution

Bykov-Brett Enterprises addressed these challenges through two targeted workshops:

1. AI workshop, this session introduced participants to AI, covering its potential applications and impact across industries. Participants learned how AI can drive innovation and were introduced to core AI concepts and tools.
2. Metaverse workshop, focused on the emerging concept of the metaverse, this session explored its implications for digital interaction and the future of work. Participants gained insights into virtual environments, decentralised web technologies, and the potential for new business models within the metaverse.

Both workshops were interactive and hands-on, giving participants direct experience of these advanced technologies in a supportive environment.

Results

The festival delivered strong outcomes, particularly through the AI and metaverse workshops:

• Participant engagement, over 100 young people attended the festival, with the AI and metaverse workshops among the most popular sessions. Many participants expressed a newfound interest in these areas, with some considering careers in tech as a result.
• Positive feedback, attendees highlighted the value of the practical insights gained during the workshops and appreciated the opportunity to explore complex technologies in an accessible, supportive environment.
• Next steps, the festival's success has paved the way for continued engagement through the Digital Skills Cymru Pathway, with plans for further workshops and employability programmes in the upcoming spring.

Conclusion

The AI and metaverse workshops delivered by Bykov-Brett Enterprises were central to the success of the Digital Skills Festival 2023. By giving young people hands-on experience and practical insights into these technologies, the workshops addressed immediate educational needs and sparked long-term interest in digital careers.

Client testimonial

“I was made to feel welcome and it was good to finally meet Prince’s Trust staff face to face and talk with everyone there. I struggled with communication and confidence at the last festival, but this one I felt much better. I also really enjoyed the metaverse talk. It was really insightful.”

Call to action

Join us in our mission to empower young people with the digital skills they need to thrive in the future. If you’re interested in collaborating on future initiatives or learning more about the Digital Skills Cymru Pathway, particularly in AI and the metaverse, get in touch with us today.