FutureMakersApply Now
Summer 2026 · Lausanne

Build something real, understand the future.

A 1-week project-based camp for teenagers (13–17) to learn how to sharpen their thinking with AI — not just use it.

Apply NowSee the program
Ages
13–17
Duration
1 week
Cohort
12 max
Teenagers collaborating with AI tools to design a smart city

Future City Challenge

Design a Smart City for 2050

01 · The shift

The world is changing fast.

"The entrepreneurial game changed from a chess board to squash."
— Mo Gawdat

For the first time in history, the question is no longer what do you know? but can you think, decide, and act when information is given to you instantly?

The hidden risk

When we let AI think for us, we reduce the effort that builds intelligence.

Critical thinking declines

Increased AI use is linked to lower critical thinking ability.

Gerlich, 2025

Higher dependency in youth

Younger users show higher dependency and weaker thinking skills.

Swiss Business School, 2024

Lower neural engagement

Students using AI show lower memory and creativity vs. independent thinking.

MIT Media Lab, 2024

Instead, we need to learn how to use AI to challenge and sharpen our thinking.

02 · What they learn

FutureSkills.

This is not a coding camp. It's about learning to work with AI thoughtfully, responsibly, and effectively.

🧠
01

Critical Thinking & Information Literacy

  • Evaluate sources and identify bias
  • Fact-check AI-generated content
  • Ask better, more precise questions
💡
02

Creative Problem-Solving

  • Combine ideas across subjects
  • Spark Creativity
  • Develop original solutions
🤝
03

AI Collaboration Skills

  • Use AI to challenge and sharpen your thinking
  • Understand its strengths and limitations
  • Stay in control of the process
⚖️
04

Responsible & Ethical Use

  • Think through consequences
  • Make thoughtful decisions when using AI
  • Build judgment, not just output

By the end of the week

  • → Build and present a real project
  • → Gain confidence in their own thinking
  • → Use AI as a support, not a shortcut

03 · The experience

Future City Challenge:
Design a Smart City for 2050.

Students work in teams to solve real-world challenges using AI — guided by human judgment, creativity, and responsibility.

This is not just about building solutions. It's about learning how to think, decide, and collaborate in a world where AI is everywhere.

  1. Day 101

    Understand & Question

    AI Literacy + Critical Thinking

    • Learn how AI actually works (beyond the hype)
    • Use AI to explore city challenges
    • Identify important problems worth solving
    • Question AI outputs: where is it biased, incomplete, misleading, or overly confident?
    • Discuss safe AI use: privacy, misinformation, bias, and responsible prompting

    AI gives answers — but not necessarily truth.

  2. Day 202

    Connect & Discover

    Problem Solving + Human Connection

    • Team-building and collaboration activities
    • Explore the human stories behind the data
    • Identify: who experiences this problem? Why does it matter? How painful is it?
    • Discuss: in AI and innovation, who benefits — and who might be excluded?

    Technology without human understanding leads to poor decisions.

  3. Day 303

    Create Value Proposition

    Creativity + AI Collaboration

    • Use AI as a creative partner, not a replacement
    • Generate ideas and refine them through human judgment
    • Define: who are we helping? What value are we creating? Why is it different?
    • Test assumptions and discuss inclusion

    Experience the difference between AI-generated ideas and human-shaped solutions.

  4. Day 404

    MVP & Ethical Responsibility

    Experimentation + Ethics

    • Learn what an MVP really is: the smallest thing that tests an idea
    • Create simple digital prototypes
    • Gather feedback and refine
    • Explore ethical trade-offs: helpful but biased? Efficient but unfair?

    Real needs over assumptions: human feedback for better ethical decisions

  5. Day 505

    Present, Defend & Reflect

    Communication + Agency

    • Present solutions to mentors, parents, and peers
    • Defend decisions and ethical choices
    • Reflect on what AI helped with — and what required human judgment

    Leave with a project and a stronger understanding of responsible AI use, value creation, and MVP thinking.

What makes this experience different

Human-first learning

AI supports thinking — it doesn't replace it.

Real complexity

No simple answers, just real-world trade-offs.

Collaboration

Students learn from and challenge each other.

Visible outcome

A project they can explain and stand behind.

Personal growth

Confidence in their own ideas and judgment.

04 · Who this is for

Curious minds, ages 13–17.

  • · Curious and motivated students
  • · No coding experience required
  • · Open to learning through projects and collaboration

Who we are

We created FutureMakers to give students space to explore ideas, guidance to build confidence, and tools to navigate a changing world. We work in small groups and focus on mentorship — not lectures.

Program details

Location
Lausanne
Dates
Summer / October 2026
Time
09:00 – 16:00
Group size
Max. 12 students

Investment

CHF 1050

per student · per week

  • Mentoring
  • Materials
  • Project support
  • Final presentation

Limited spots available

Apply now

Reserve a spot for Summer 2026

Tell us a bit about yourself. Cohort limited to 12 students.