On 30 September 2026, the AI in Mentoring project will hold its final conference in Sofia, bringing together trainers, mentors, business representatives and experts from Bulgaria, Belgium and Spain to discuss the growing role of artificial intelligence in dual vocational education and training.
The conference, entitled “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Dual VET”, will take place at Grand Hotel Sofia, Triaditsa II Hall, 1 Gurko Street, Sofia, with registration starting at 09:30.
How can artificial intelligence support mentoring and learning? What have we learned from testing new approaches in practice? And how do trainers and workplace mentors from different European countries see the opportunities and challenges ahead?
These questions will be at the centre of the final conference of the Erasmus+ project Artificial Intelligence in Apprenticeship Mentoring – AI in Mentoring.
The AI in Mentoring project explores how artificial intelligence can be meaningfully integrated into mentoring and vocational training and how emerging technologies can support more effective and future-oriented learning practices.
During the conference, the project partners will present the main project results, tools and lessons learned, together with reflections on the future of training and the evolving role of mentoring and coaching in a rapidly changing technological environment.
A particular focus will be placed on the practical experience gained during the project. Two international panels will bring together trainers and mentors from Bulgaria, Belgium and Spain to discuss their experiences, feedback and observations from the project activities.
Among the conference speakers and participants will be Svetoslava Stoyanova from New Mindset Coaching & Training, Belgium; Lina Kostadinova from the Human Resources Development Centre and Regional Initiatives at the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; Tatiana Levcheva, mentor involved in the project pilot activities; Daniel Pangev, Employee Relations Manager at Overgas Networks; and Petya Evtimova and Lachezar Afrikanov from the Foundation for Modern Education.
The programme will also include a presentation on current AI developments and applications by Siyana Lilova from CuratedAI.
The event will conclude with an open discussion, followed by informal networking and opportunities for bilateral meetings among participants.
Programme
09:30–10:00 – Registration
10:00–10:10 – Welcome
10:10–10:40 – AI in Mentoring: Project Results and Achievements
10:40–11:00 – The Future of Learning and the Role of Mentoring and Coaching
11:00–11:30 – Panel 1: Trainers – Feedback and Experience from Bulgaria, Belgium and Spain
11:30–11:50 – Coffee Break
11:50–12:20 – Panel 2: Mentors – Feedback and Experience from Bulgaria, Belgium and Spain
12:20–12:40 – Artificial Intelligence Developments and Applications
12:40–12:50 – Questions and Answers
12:50–13:30 – Open Discussion
13:30–14:15 – Buffet and Networking
Participation is free of charge, but prior registration is required.
Representatives of the media are also invited to attend and cover the event.
The final conference will provide an opportunity to meet representatives of business, vocational education and training, mentors and experts, and to discuss one of the key questions facing education and human resources development today: how can we use the potential of artificial intelligence to make learning and mentoring more effective, accessible and better prepared for the future?
Please note that photographs, video and/or audio recordings may be taken during the event. By participating in the conference, attendees agree that the organisers may use these materials for non-commercial communication and dissemination purposes, including publication on project websites and social media channels.