Early Race for Talent: AI Companies Attract Teenagers Starting at Age 13

Digital Trends and Rest of the World highlighted a growing trend among Chinese technology companies to attract young talent in artificial intelligence through training programs targeting teenagers as young as 13.

This trend comes amid expectations of a significant shortage of specialized skills in the coming years, as the sector continues to expand and demand for technical expertise rises.

The report noted that Tencent has launched training camps covering diverse fields, from product development and robotics to quantum computing, while other entities support programs to identify outstanding students and provide them with research or job opportunities at an early stage.

The report also clarified that Geely and MiniMax are increasingly focusing on skills, learning ability, and innovation, alongside the traditional academic path.

It added that this trend is not limited to China, as global companies, including Google and Microsoft, offer specialized training programs for school students, indicating a growing interest in discovering and investing in the development of technical talent early on.