“As AI reshapes industries, the global priority must shift from access to agency. Today’s youth are early adopters but only a small fraction have access to formal AI education, even in Western Europe. Formal AI skilling including critical thinking must become as universal as digital access once was. Only when every young person can not only use AI but also understand how it works, think critically about each output and build relevant, reliable and responsible solutions, will this technological wave become truly inclusive.” Benedikt Gieger, Strategic Project Manager, AI and Manufacturing, SAP “From a youth standpoint, urgency arises not only from the scale of adoption but also from the opportunity to reimagine governance itself. AI is arriving in public systems just as younger generations are demanding transparency, inclusivity and measurable, positive impact.” Valeria Tafoya, Fellow at Stanford University’s McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society; member of the Global Future Council on GovTech and Digital Public InfrastructureThemes covered Impacted GroupsYouth-led initiatives on technologyTechnological outlook 77% of the projects are on upskilling for tech/tech education, focusing on digital literacy, capacity building and the development of technological skills 13% are on AI, advancing the use of AI in education and fostering awareness of its societal impact 10% pertain to equitable access to technology, expanding inclusive opportunities for technological engagement and foundational digital learningOf youth-led initiatives on technology are actively partnering with private companies to deliver impactNearly half of the initiatives are partnering with civil society organizationsProjects are on digital inclusion and technology49 49.1% Jobseekers and unemployed groups85.5% Young people21.1% Women and girls 18.2% Entrepreneurs and start-ups49.1% Schools and universities 27 Youth Pulse 2026: Insights from the next generation for a changing world