Teens in AI and Sage have expanded their long-standing partnership with the launch of the North East AI Talent Acceleration Programme, a new initiative that will help thousands of young people aged 13–19 build AI literacy, develop practical skills and explore future careers in AI across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham.
The expanded partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring more young people have access to high-quality AI education and real-world career pathways. By connecting education with industry, the programme will help strengthen the future AI talent pipeline while supporting opportunities created through investment in the North East.
🔗 Read Sage’s Announcement to learn more about the partnership, the programme and the impact it will deliver across the North East.
Helen Devanny, Vice President of Sage Foundation, said: “This programme helps turn ambition into opportunity by connecting young people with real-world AI experience, industry expertise, and structured learning opportunities. Our focus at Sage is on ensuring that access to AI education and skills development is widened at pace, so more young people are equipped to progress into the opportunities being created across the region.“
How to get get involved if you are an Educator: If you are a secondary school Educator and would like to get involved, 🔗 Express Your Interest.
Supporting the North East’s AI ambitions
The expanded partnership comes at a pivotal moment for the region. The government recently named Sage as a leading digital technology business in the 🔗North East AI Growth Zone, recognised for widening access to technology careers and supporting women in the region to develop AI leadership skills. This new programme contributes to a broader regional ambition to ensure 80,000 students benefit from AI training by 2029, alongside major investment in AI infrastructure and supporting AI adoption across the North East region.
Building on the partnership’s momentum, Sage Foundation is also supporting the development of a new series of AI Adventures courses tailored for 13- to 19-year-olds, including an AI Agent course developed in collaboration with Sage and launched in April 2026.
To find out more about the North East AI Talent Acceleration Programme and the partnership between Sage and Teens in AI, visit: 🔗Teens in AI and Sage Partnership
How to get get involved if you are an Educator: If you are a Secondary School Educator and would like to get involved 🔗 Express Your Interest or 🔗 Find Out More
About Sage
🔗Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of small and mid-sized businesses served by Sage, its partners and accountants. Customers trust its finance, HR and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitalising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, Sage’s AI-powered platform connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means using its time, technology and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality and the climate crisis.
Sage Foundation has been knocking down barriers in our communities since 2015. By mobilising our colleagues, partners, and customers through impactful programmes, Sage Foundation is helping underrepresented entrepreneurs to grow their businesses while equipping the entrepreneurs of tomorrow with the skills they need to succeed.
