On January 12th, 2026, a Youth Think Tank discussion titled “Preparing for an AI-Powered Future” was held in Panevėžys, hosted at the International Ukrainian School within the project “SUCCESS | Socially innovative Ukrainian Centres in Central Europe: Empowerment and Social Support”. The event brought together 23 high school students for an open and engaging conversation about artificial intelligence and the future they are growing into.
During the session, students had the chance to engage with the speakers:
✔️ His Excellency Mr. Shinsuke Shimizu, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Lithuania, who shared Japan’s experience with AI, its national AI strategy, and real-world examples of how artificial intelligence is already shaping innovation, economy, and society.
✔️ Dr. Erika Vaiginienė, Associate Professor at Vilnius University, foresight specialist and the Director of the VMU Ukrainian Center. Dr Vaiginienė, who has led and contributed to over 60 research and policy projects, including serving as a key methodological advisor for Lithuania’s national long-term development strategy “Lithuania 2050”, spoke about different types of artificial intelligence, how they are used today, and what young people can expect from AI in the future.
The discussion was lively and thoughtful, with students actively engaging, asking questions, reflecting, sharing their ideas, and connecting global developments with their own experiences and plans.
We sincerely thank our speakers and the Embassy of Japan to Lithuania, the International Ukrainian School in Panevėžys, and all participating students for their openness, curiosity, and meaningful contributions.
*Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.
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