A global youth imagination lab on humanity, ai & the future
the future
needs your imagination
Before anyone can build a better future, someone has to imagine it first. This is your invitation!
join a global youth conversation on AI, humanity and the future.
Artificial intelligence increasingly shapes how we live, learn, work, create, connect, communicate, make decisions and imagine what’s possible. But too often, the people who will live longest with the consequences of the decisions made today are not meaningfully invited into the conversation. The Global Youth Imagination Lab exists to change that.
Led by Deeply Human Innovation, together with the Learning Planet Institute — a United Nations University Hub and UNESCO Category 2 Institute — the Lab invites young people aged 16–25 to share their hopes, concerns, questions and ideas on AI, humanity and the future.
Together, we are gathering youth voices from around the world to explore the deeply human questions raised by AI and help shape learning, policy, technology and action for a future where people and planet can flourish.
who can apply?
The Lab is designed for those who want to take part in shaping a future that is more human, more thoughtful and more imaginative.
We invite young people aged 16–25, anywhere in the world, who want to be part of a meaningful global conversation about AI, humanity and the future.
You might be a student, artist, activist, organiser, coder, writer, researcher, designer, entrepreneur, young professional, community builder, or simply someone with questions. You might think about AI constantly, or only just be beginning to. You might feel hopeful, confused, excited or uneasy, or all at the same time.
You do not need to have a title, a platform, a degree or a polished vision of the future. You do not need to have all the answers, because that’s why we are gathering.
We especially welcome applications from those who bring different lived experiences, cultures, disciplines, communities and ways of seeing the world.
16-25 Years
Open to anyone aged 16–25, anywhere in the world.
100% Worldwide
Our goal: 100,000+ voices, gathered through youth partner networks worldwide.
100% Online
Zero boundaries. Anyone with a network connection can apply to join.
How it works
Complete the application and share your reflections. You can simply contribute your voice, or you can also apply to join the Youth Imagination Lab on the 1st October and express interest in joining the Youth Advisory Council. The final deadline to submit your reflections is the 2nd September 00:00 UTC.
The application takes roughly 10-15 minutes. You will hear back from us in September with the next steps.
Apply now via this link.
Step 1 - Share your voice
Step 2 - Join the Youth Imagination Day
After your application, you'll be invited to take part in the virtual Global Youth Imagination Day on 1 October 2026 — a structured day of facilitated sessions where you'll explore the questions from the survey alongside experts from technology, policy and academia, exchange ideas with young people from around the world, and help shape a shared vision for the future.
The insights from the day will travel to the Deeply Human Summit in Paris (2–3 October), where leaders across technology, policy and academia convene — and will form the foundation of a youth-led report on AI, humanity and the future.
Step 3 - The Deeply Human Summit
Follow key parts of the Deeply Human Summit virtually, as the ideas from the Lab enter conversations with leaders across technology, education, policy, business, research and civil society. Speakers confirmed so far include voices from UNESCO, IEEE, the UN, IKEA, SAP and Oxford University — and more.
Step 4 - Paris is just the beginning
The conversation doesn't end at the Summit. After Youth Imagination Day, a smaller group is invited to join the Youth Advisory Council — helping shape the public insight report, carry the ideas forward, and guide where this work goes next.
Because behind every future is someone who dared to dream it first.
Every future starts the same way — as an act of imagination. Before a technology exists, someone imagines it. Before a platform connects billions of people, someone imagines a different way to communicate. Before education changes, someone imagines another way to learn.
Every system we live with today was once simply an idea. The question is: What ideas are shaping the future now — and whose imagination is missing from the room?
We believe that the voices of those inheriting the future we are building today belong in the rooms shaping it. The Lab exists to understand the future your generation wants to build, to dream out loud and imagine together, and to help carry those ideas into the places where technology, learning and policy are being shaped.
Community, Youth & Knowledge partners:
Youth Partner:
Community Wellbeing Partner:
your questions, answered.
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out to us. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.
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The Global Youth Imagination Lab is open to young people aged 16–25, anywhere in the world.
You do not need to be a student, an AI expert, or already working in technology. We welcome young people from different countries, cultures, communities, disciplines and lived experiences.
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Yes. We welcome youth organisations, schools, universities, educators and community networks who want to share the application, host conversations or help bring more young people into the Lab.
If you would like to partner with us, please get in touch via our contact form.
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Youth Imagination Day is a virtual gathering on 1 October 2026 for a selected group of applicants.
It will bring together young people from around the world to explore the ideas emerging from the Lab, exchange perspectives, engage with experts across technology, education, policy and research, and help shape a shared message for the future.
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Your responses will help shape a collective picture of what young people hope for, worry about, want to protect and want to change.
These insights will inform Youth Imagination Day, be carried into the Deeply Human Summit in Paris on 2–3 October 2026, and support ongoing youth-led work after the Summit.
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The Deeply Human Summit is a gathering in Paris on 2–3 October 2026 exploring how we build a more human future in an age of profound technological change.
It brings together voices from technology, education, policy, business, research, culture and civil society. Insights from the Global Youth Imagination Lab will be carried into the Summit so young people’s hopes, concerns and ideas are part of the conversation.
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After Youth Imagination Day, a smaller group of participants will be invited to join a Youth Advisory Council.
This group will help shape the report, contribute to public insights, and advise on how the work can continue beyond the Summit.
You will be able to indicate in the application whether you would like to be considered.