LISBON

THE ROLE OF AI IN EDUCATION & RETAIL INNOVATION

2025 DATES
Session 1: June 16 - June 27
Session 2: June 30-July 11

TUITION*
$5,000

*airfare and ground transportation not included

The Innovation Challenges

Session 1: June 16-27, 2025

In this 2-week innovation challenge sponsored by José de Mello, students will travel to Lisbon to explore one of the most urgent questions of our time: Can AI solve Portugal’s education crisis? While tech companies rush to bring AI into classrooms, Portugal’s public education system is under strain—from teacher shortages and student disengagement to growing inequality. In partnership with this legacy Portuguese company committed to public good and social impact, students will work alongside Hudson Lab Ventures facilitators, education experts, and local innovators to understand the crisis from the inside out—and design bold, human-centered solutions that use AI not to replace teachers, but to empower them.

Session 2: June 30-July 11, 2025

In this 2-week immersive experience, students will travel to Lisbon, Portugal, to tackle real-world challenges across industries—from education to retail—with Sonae, Portugal’s largest multinational conglomerate. As technology and global retail rapidly evolve, students will explore how personalization, automation, and immersive technologies like AI, blockchain, and AR are reshaping consumer behavior and business strategy. Tasked with developing innovative, sustainable solutions, students will dive into the intersection of data, design, and digital transformation to help a major global player adapt to the future of commerce.

Sample Schedule

Session 1: June 16 - June 27
Session 2: June 30-July 11
Monday to Friday
9:30 am - 4:30 pm

The Itinerary

This summer, students will discover the magic of Lisbon—Portugal’s sun-drenched capital known for its stunning coastlines, colorful streets, and vibrant food scene. From riding historic trams through cobblestone neighborhoods to tasting world-famous pastéis de nata, every day will be an adventure. They'll experience castles, street markets, and scenic overlooks while soaking in the laid-back charm and rich cultural history that make Lisbon a top global destination. With ocean breezes, live music, and endless discovery around every corner, this is the kind of summer that stays with you forever.

Detailed Itinerary

Meet one of our group leaders in New York and fly together to Lisbon, Portugal. Learn more about how we organize travel here.
Taught in English by expert innovators, you’ll apply the innovation process to a business challenge sponsored by a Portuguese corporation. Hear from successful entrepreneurs and work with local Portuguese students to apply Design Thinking, Problem Reframing and Stakeholder Mapping to address a real market need. Hopefully you’ll pick up some basic Portuguese in the process.
Our home in Lisbon is a university residence. Accommodations are dormitory-style. Our group leaders reside in the same hall with students throughout the program.
Lunch and snacks are provided daily onsite. For dinner, students will have the chance to explore Lisbon’s incredible food scene in small groups, with guidance and support from our staff. We’ll organize several optional group dinners during the program and share a curated list of student-friendly restaurants near our program site and accommodations. This approach offers students the freedom to make age-appropriate choices while ensuring they feel supported and safe.
After work, we’ll explore Lisbon, one of the most beautiful cities in the world rich with culture, winding cobblestone streets, inspiring street art, and fabulous food.
Lisbon has lots of hills and cobblestones, so bring good walking shoes.
On the last day of the program, each team will deliver their refined business pitch to the executives who call the shots. Will your team’s business idea inspire their next venture???
We’ll fly from Lisbon to New York, where you will continue on to your final destination.