On August 8th, 2025, Budakov Films successfully organized and hosted a focus group interview in Sofia, Bulgaria, as part of the Erasmus+ co-funded project FutureForward (Project n. 2024-1-IT02-KA220-ADU-000253630). The session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Petyo Budakov and brought together five leading experts in the fields of artificial intelligence, adult education, and vocational training. The primary aim of this discussion was to gather insights that will inform the development of the project’s Use Case Animations and MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) tailored for adult learners.

Participant Selection and Expertise
The five participants were carefully selected to ensure a balanced representation of expertise relevant to the project’s goals. Their profiles included:

  • An AI Policy Specialist with extensive knowledge of European AI governance and compliance with the EU AI Act.
  • A Vocational Training Coordinator specializing in AI-enhanced training for technical professions.
  • An Adult Education Curriculum Designer experienced in integrating AI literacy into lifelong learning programs.
  • An Educational Technology Researcher focusing on AI-assisted assessment methods and adaptive learning environments.
  • A Continuing Education Program Director responsible for professional development courses incorporating AI applications.

Structure of the Focus Group
The session was designed to address both pedagogical and technical aspects of the project’s planned learning materials. The discussion was guided by a structured set of questions covering:

  1. Learning outcomes for adult learners after watching Use Case Animations.
  2. Selection of priority topics based on the adult learners’ questionnaire results.
  3. Visual and structural design of the video animations.
  4. Expected competences and skills to be developed through the MOOC.
  5. Feedback on the proposed MOOC structure.
  6. Accessibility features to ensure inclusivity for diverse learner profiles.

Key Insights from the Discussion
Participants agreed that the primary role of the Use Case Animations is to help adult learners—many of whom have limited prior exposure to AI—understand how AI can be applied in everyday life. Priority topics identified for the videos include translating foreign languages, planning travel and holidays, and creating photos or videos with AI. These topics were chosen for their high relevance and immediate applicability to the learners’ personal and professional lives.

The group supported the proposed MOOC structure, which spans from an introduction to AI to practical case studies, and stressed the importance of using clear, easy-to-digest language to make the content accessible to all adult learners. Multilingual subtitles were deemed essential, alongside short video lengths (approximately three minutes) to maintain engagement. Participants recommended the use of AI avatars to explain concepts in a structured manner, with content translated and subtitled into partner languages before being uploaded to YouTube.

Conclusion
The focus group in Sofia provided valuable, targeted feedback that will directly shape the development of both the Use Case Animations and the MOOC under the FutureForward project. Budakov Films is committed to ensuring that the educational materials are practical, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of adult learners across Europe. The insights gathered from this session are a critical step towards delivering innovative, impactful AI learning resources that empower individuals to confidently engage with emerging technologies.

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 Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Project No: 2024-1-IT02-KA220-ADU-000253630