New Goal for “AI Stars”: Reaching 55,000 Students

Vodafone Foundation and Habitat Association’s Joint Project “AI Stars” Marks Its First Year

The “AI Stars” project, launched by Vodafone Foundation and Habitat Association with the aim of preparing future generations for the digital age, has completed its first year. The initiative has reached over 36,000 students to date, delivering a social return of 5.34 TL for every 1 TL invested. In the upcoming phase, the goal is to reach 55,000 students.

Continuing its mission to drive social change and development, Vodafone Foundation remains committed to preparing younger generations for the digital future. In the first year of the “AI Stars” digital education project—launched last year in partnership with Habitat Association—the initiative reached more than 36,000 students across 58 different locations in 12 provinces, with the support of 183 volunteer educators. The project offers artificial intelligence training to middle school students aged 11–14 and high school students aged 14–18 across all 81 provinces of Türkiye. For every 1 TL invested in the program, a social return of 5.34 TL was generated. In its new phase, the project aims to engage 55,000 students.

The new goals for the “AI Stars” project were announced at a meeting attended by Hasan Süel, Chair of the Vodafone Türkiye Foundation, and Bora Caldu, Executive Board Chair of Habitat Association.

Hasan Süel, Chair of the Vodafone Türkiye Foundation, stated:

“Artificial intelligence is set to play a vital role among the digital technologies of the future. According to the Global Vodafone Foundation’s report “The Growing Role of AI in Education”, 27% of students in Türkiye feel they are falling behind when it comes to the use of AI in schools. With the ‘AI Stars’ project, which we launched last year in collaboration with Habitat Association, our goal was clear: to help young people build strong technological skills and enable them to combine their creativity with the power of emerging technologies like AI—now influencing nearly every aspect of our lives. In the first year of the project, implemented across 12 provinces, we exceeded our initial targets and reached over 36,000 students. Our social impact analysis revealed a promising outcome: for every 1 TL invested in the project, we generated a social return of 5.34 TL. We also offered young participants the opportunity to take part in a global hackathon. Looking ahead, we aim to reach 55,000 students in the next phase of the project. Alongside our ongoing efforts, we’re also excited to introduce a new initiative: AI Startup Studio—an incubation program designed to help high school students turn their AI-driven ideas into real-world ventures. At the Vodafone Foundation, we remain committed to supporting young generations and helping them shape the future through technology.”

Bora Caldu, Executive Board Chair of Habitat Association, shared the following remarks:

“We are introducing young people to the language of the future:generative artificial intelligence. Through the ‘AI Stars’ project, launched in collaboration with the Vodafone Foundation, we are empowering middle and high school students not just to consume technology, but to create with it. We aim to raise awareness among youth about key topics such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality, and digital well-being, while also accompanying them on their journey through digital transformation. Together, we are working to unlock the potential of children and young people through AI—whether in dedicated technology classrooms, village schools, or mobile learning tents across Türkiye. Last year, we proudly raised our flag in Romania; this year, through our upcoming hackathon, we aim to once again represent Türkiye on the international stage. In parallel, we plan to expand our mobile unit’s reach from 12 to 15 provinces, allowing us to connect with even more children in rural areas. With the launch of AI Startup Studio, we will be supporting high school entrepreneurs as they bring their ideas to life and take part in both local and global competitions. Our ‘generative AI’ approach is not just about transferring knowledge—it’s about empowering young people to create, explore, and make a difference. We extend our sincere thanks to all our stakeholders and volunteers, especially the Vodafone Foundation. Together, we will create—and together, we will thrive.”

Bringing Students Together with Artificial Intelligence

As part of the “AI Stars” project, middle school students aged 11–14 and high school students aged 14–18 are being introduced to artificial intelligence. Students gain hands-on experience with various AI tools, develop a comprehensive understanding of the technology, and work on their own projects. In addition, global content and activities offer them access to a wide range of growth opportunities. According to a survey conducted with 744 participating students, by the end of the first year, 85% were able to define what artificial intelligence is; 60.5% learned how to write prompt commands; 79.5% found the training highly useful and informative; and 64.2% began applying what they learned immediately.

Expanding AI Education to Rural Areas

In the upcoming phase, the project will continue to offer training through in-person sessions, online platforms, and a dedicated website. As the target expands to 55,000 students, the number of trainers and volunteers will also increase accordingly. Through the Mobile Technology Tent, science, technology, and AI-focused educational activities will be delivered in high schools and village schools located in rural districts across 15 provinces. The Village Technology Network will support ongoing education and events in 45 locations equipped with technology classrooms. In addition, Container Technology Classrooms will offer coding and AI training in four provinces. A new hackathon will also be launched, focusing on themes such as social benefit, sustainability, and technology for good.

Launching a New Incubation Program

As part of the project, a new initiative will be launched under the name AI Startup Studio—an incubation program designed to help high school students turn their AI-focused ideas into viable startups. The three-month program will include 20 startup training sessions, 10 accelerator sessions, and 5 demo days. It will follow a hybrid model, combining both in-person and online instruction. The training phase will cover AI-driven idea development, technical skills, lean canvas methodology, and product development processes. Participation in the accelerator will be conditional on successfully completing the training sessions. During the accelerator, students will receive mentorship and instruction on topics such as investment, financing, and startup development. Completion of the accelerator will be required to qualify for the final stage: Demo Day. On Demo Day, teams will pitch their ideas to a jury and be eligible for a variety of awards. Finalists will also have the opportunity to attend the AI for Good summit, held annually in Geneva by the International Telecommunication Union. In addition, 20 startups completing the program will be granted direct entry into global competitions such as Generation Unlimited, organized by UNICEF, and the Entrepreneurship World Cup, hosted by GN.