Young people may be unprepared for the shift underway as artificial intelligence and digital technology reshape the way the world works. Demand for tech-savvy talent is rising, and equipping youth with AI and digital skills is essential, global thought leaders have warned.
Global leaders should rethink how young people prepare for the future of work, UNESCO urged at World Youth Skills Day last year. AI is transforming industries and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems need to modernize to equip youth with relevant digital and AI skills, experts say.
“In the age of AI, the youth need to be the actors and the builders of tomorrow. We want them to develop the capacity to come together and do things that they can’t do alone. This is by developing 21st century skills so that they can be the best learners in the world and in this way impact the world,” Francois Tadei, Co-Founder and Director of the Learning Planet Institute said.
Nearly 70 percent of the global youth population) remain economically disengaged, unable to thrive in the labor market due to a profound lack of skills that meet modern demands.
UNESCO estimates 450 million young people (nearly 70 percent of the global youth population) remain economically disengaged, unable to thrive in the labor market due to a profound lack of skills that meet modern demands. This troubling reality is compounded by the fact that fewer than 10 percent of educational institutions, from schools to universities, offer any formal guidance on emerging technologies like AI.
As industries evolve and digital innovation transforms every sector, the absence of tech literacy and future-facing skills poses a serious threat to the next generation’s ability to compete and contribute meaningfully. If education systems fail to adapt, millions risk being left on the sidelines of the global economy.
“We must close the digital divide so that every young person, regardless of gender, geography and background, can reach their full potential. Digital education must nurture not only technical ability but creativity, critical thinking and connection. As AI reshapes our world, young people must be seen not just as learners but as co-creators of a fairer digital future,” H.E António Guterres, UN Secretary-General wrote in a statement.
A UNESCO concept note for World Skills Day highlights that while AI is increasingly being adopted in TVET, several obstacles remain. These include algorithmic biases that can deepen gender and regional disparities, ethical challenges concerning data protection, algorithmic transparency, and shifts in employment patterns, as well as ongoing gender inequality and limited representation in AI-focused TVET disciplines.
Some organizations are addressing the gaps.
“Skill development and entrepreneurship are two pillars of a resilient and inclusive economy,” Prof. Rihan Khan Suri, Director, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said during the Expert Talk for Start-up Founders in New Delhi. “At CIE, we believe in empowering individuals through real-world skills, hands-on training, and exposure to entrepreneurial thinking. CIE aims to turn every learner into a potential innovator and job creator. Through partnerships, mentoring, and incubation, we are building an ecosystem where skills meet opportunity, and innovation drives progress.”
From health education to agriculture and governance, digital tools are reshaping how services are delivered and how young people live, learn, and work. Yet, this transformation also comes with concerns around digital inequality, unemployment, and the skills gap between the demands of the global economy and the training many young people receive.
During the annual Youth Day event in Kenya, Jackline Mugo, Executive Director and CEO of the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), highlighted the disconnection between the job market and the education provided by learning institutions.
“Despite various global initiatives aimed at narrowing the education-to-employment gap, research shows the disconnect still exists,” Ms. Mugo said.
She emphasized that artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation are reshaping education systems, workplaces, and entire industries, underscoring the urgent need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry.
“As the world embraces more agile, remote, and digital ways of working, it is crucial to equip young people with future-ready skills, particularly in areas such as AI,” Ms. Mugo says.
UNESCO sees AI as a powerful tool to personalize learning, enhance vocational training, and improve career guidance. The organization calls for stronger collaboration between governments, educators, and tech developers to build human-centered TVET systems that promote equity, lifelong learning, and sustainable development.
About the Author
Mercy C. Wanjiku Nduati was the Engineering for Change Editorial Fellow for 2025. She works on the editorial staff of the Vennomax Media Network that publishes the Industrial Journal magazine. And she has written for the magazine Kenya Engineer, published by the Institution of Engineers in Kenya. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and media from Egerton University.
