How a local mother's initiative opened the door to artificial intelligence for children and adults in the heart of Bulgaria.
A New Kind of Day Dawns in Bansko
The small town of Bansko, best known as a winter destination for skiers and nature lovers, has in recent years grown into something much larger: a hub for digital nomads, worldschoolers, and creative minds from around the globe.
On October 7, 2023, this image was strengthened when a groundbreaking AI session brought together children, teenagers, and adults for a day that blurred the lines between technology and human development.
Behind the initiative stood Daniela Slavova, a mother of three, inspired by her daughters' participation in the AI Transformation Bootcamp in Kosovo. Together with the MaNaBu Movement and international AI expert Arta Statovci, she turned her vision into reality – a local event where young and old could explore artificial intelligence, side by side.
When Children Became the Teachers
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the day was that it wasn’t led by a traditional lecturer. Instead, four young participants, all with ties to Bansko, took center stage:
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Maya, 11 years old, a worldschooler passionate about technology.
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Atharva Kumar, 10 years old, an AI enthusiast from India.
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Maria, 14 years old, a creative local teenager.
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Joana, 11 years old, a confident problem solver.
With impressive clarity, the children demonstrated practical applications of AI, from content creation and translation to automation and entrepreneurship.
Adi, one of the participants, cleverly showed that AI is not always right – an important reminder about the technology’s limitations.
Maria showcased how AI could translate and create content in minutes, while Maya explained how even younger students could build AI chatbots.
Joana amazed everyone by building a full online store during the session, proving how quickly AI can empower new ideas.
When Generations Came Together
One of the most powerful insights from the day was how AI could bridge generations, not divide them.
In one unforgettable moment, a teenager showed his mother how to build a website in less than a minute with AI – a project she had been struggling with for months.
Another local entrepreneur shared how her teenage son now helps her promote her business using AI-driven marketing campaigns, something she had once thought impossible without hiring an agency.
It became clear that the future of technology isn't about separate paths for young and old. In Bansko, they showed that the most powerful growth happens when generations collaborate.
More Than Technology: Human Skills in Focus
Despite the day’s technological theme, Arta Statovci emphasized an important point: the real success in the AI era isn’t just about understanding the technology – it’s about enhancing human skills.
She introduced the exercise "The Wheel of Life," where participants mapped out different aspects of their lives – work, health, relationships, personal development – and explored how AI could help improve each area.
The insights were striking.
Some wanted to use AI to find a better work-life balance. Others envisioned automating tasks to spend more time with family. Some dreamed of using AI to create art, music, and literature.
It became clear that AI isn't about replacing humanity. It's about empowering it.
Bansko: A Growing Hub for Alternative Learning
It’s no coincidence that such an event could happen in Bansko.
With its unique mix of natural beauty, international diversity, and a growing community of digital nomads and worldschoolers, Bansko offers a fertile environment for new forms of learning to flourish.
Here, education isn’t confined to classrooms.
It lives in the mountains, the cafés, the open dialogues between cultures and generations.
The AI session was just one example of Bansko's vibrant spirit of curiosity and innovation.
A Future That Has Already Begun
By the end of the day, it was clear: the real winners weren't just the children, not just the parents — it was the entire Bansko community.
What began as a simple workshop had transformed into a collective journey toward a future where technology is not a threat, but a natural part of everyday life.
By placing young voices at the center, encouraging cross-generational collaboration, and focusing on human potential rather than technology alone, Bansko created a model that other cities could look to for inspiration.
Conclusion: When the Future is Built Together
The session "Unlocking the World of Artificial Intelligence: A Day at Bansko" proved that the future doesn’t belong solely to those with the most resources, education, or power.
It belongs to an 11-year-old with an idea.
A parent brave enough to learn again.
A small mountain town where people meet, share, and build something new together.
In Bansko, on that day, a stone was laid in the foundation of a future where artificial and human intelligence grow side by side.
And it’s a world well worth building.
LINK: "Unlocking the World of Artificial Intelligence: A Day at Bansko"
By Chris...
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