Imagining Better Futures for Everybody - Sustainable Entrepreneurship Education for Future Design Protagonists

Previous research has shown the need for children to grow to 'design protagonists', developing skills and competences in technology design and being able to reflect on the role of technology in their own lives as well as in the society. Entrepreneurship understanding has been linked as one important competence for design protagonists, for having skills to plan for and reflect on a better future for all of us. To advance understanding on how to support children to grow to design protagonists in areas connected to technology, business, and sustainability, we conducted a study with 14-15-year-olds, educating them first about artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable business thinking, and asking them then to create and present business ideas for sustainable innovations that use AI. Based on the findings, we indicate the need to link systems thinking approaches with this type of education and we provide some recommendations for practice.