Young leaders collaborating on artificial intelligence for sustainable development

In observance of HLPF 2026

NextGen AI: Youth Leadership for SDG Acceleration

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Advance the 2030 Agenda

A youth-centered convening hosted by Sustainable Development Council to explore how ethical, inclusive, and human-centered AI can accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals.

AI for SDGs Youth leadership Responsible innovation

AI skills and capacity

Building future-ready competencies for students and young professionals.

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Innovation showcase

Spotlighting youth-led AI solutions for real SDG implementation challenges.

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Standards and policy

Advancing ethical, transparent, and human-centered AI governance.

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Background

Empowering young leaders to shape responsible AI for the SDGs.

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping economies, governance, education, healthcare, climate action, and sustainable development at unprecedented pace. As the global community enters the final years of implementing the 2030 Agenda, AI has emerged as a transformative force for accelerating SDG progress.

Realizing that potential requires responsible governance, ethical innovation, inclusive participation, and meaningful youth engagement. Young people are innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers who will shape the future of AI.

Purpose

A collaborative platform for AI-enabled SDG action.

The programme creates space for young leaders to harness Artificial Intelligence through innovation, ethical leadership, research, partnerships, and responsible digital transformation.

300 expected participants

5 technical sessions

8 priority SDG links

Objectives

What the programme seeks to achieve

Promote youth leadership in AI and digital innovation.

Explore AI-driven solutions that accelerate SDG implementation.

Encourage ethical, transparent, and human-centered AI governance.

Showcase youth-led research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Strengthen collaboration among academia, government, industry, and civil society.

Enhance AI literacy and future-ready digital competencies.

Facilitate dialogue on inclusive digital transformation and equitable AI access.

Generate recommendations for sustainable development priorities.

Programme pillars

Innovation, technology, strategy, and future leadership.

Innovation

Encouraging youth-driven AI innovation to address complex development challenges through creative thinking and entrepreneurship.

Technology

Exploring Generative AI, Machine Learning, Robotics, Data Science, Digital Public Infrastructure, and Smart Systems.

Strategy

Developing policy perspectives on ethical AI, digital governance, cybersecurity, regulation, and responsible innovation.

Future

Preparing future leaders with the skills, knowledge, and partnerships needed to lead an AI-enabled sustainable future.

Technical sessions

Proposed programme flow

Session I

Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development

AI and the SDGs, public services, climate technologies, and digital inclusion.

Session II

Responsible AI and Digital Governance

Ethics, privacy, human rights, transparency, accountability, and global AI governance.

Session III

Youth Innovation Showcase

Student startups and AI innovations in healthcare, agriculture, education, environment, disaster risk reduction, accessibility, and social innovation.

Session IV

Future Skills for an AI Economy

AI literacy, future employment, leadership, research, and innovation ecosystems.

Session V

Building Partnerships for Digital Transformation

Collaboration among universities, government, technology industry, startups, NGOs, and international organizations.

Participants and speakers

A cross-sector community for responsible AI.

The programme will invite representatives from United Nations entities, government ministries, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, academia, technology companies, AI startups, innovation hubs, civil society organizations, and youth leadership networks.

Expected outcomes

From dialogue to recommendations and partnerships.

Youth capacity

Strengthened youth engagement, AI awareness, and digital leadership capacities.

Innovation visibility

Showcase of AI solutions addressing sustainable development challenges.

Responsible adoption

Recommendations for ethical, inclusive, and accountable AI adoption.

Future networks

Collaborative networks for future AI initiatives across sectors.

SDG alignment

Contributing directly to priority goals.

SDG 4
Quality Education SDG 8
Decent Work and Economic Growth SDG 9
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure SDG 10
Reduced Inequalities SDG 11
Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG 13
Climate Action SDG 16
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions SDG 17
Partnerships for the Goals

Deliverables

What the programme will produce

NextGen AI Youth Recommendations for SDG Acceleration AI Innovation Showcase Report Programme Proceedings Partnership Outcomes Digital Media Package Post-Event Impact Report

Programme motto

Innovate with Intelligence. Lead with Purpose. Accelerate the SDGs.

Organized by Sustainable Development Council at SRM Institute of Science and Technology in observance of the 2026 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.