UNESCO Hosts Youth AI Tour in Shenzhen
Delegates from Africa and Asia gathered in China from 20 to 25 July 2026 to advance international digital literacy.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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From 20 to 25 July 2026, UNESCO and CODEMAO held the Africa-Asia Youth AI Tour in Shenzhen, China. The event brought together educators and students to promote cross-continental cooperation in artificial intelligence education.
Why it matters
The tour aimed to strengthen international collaboration on AI curricula and improve digital literacy for young people across the African and Asian continents. It serves as a key pillar in mobilizing educational resources and fostering new cross-regional partnerships.
The program featured a three-day intensive training and project co-creation session for students. It supported delegates from six distinct nations, including Kenya, Thailand, and Namibia.
The players
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences, and culture.
CODEMAO
CODEMAO is a coding education technology company that partners with international organizations to develop digital literacy programs for youth.
The details
The event featured a policy forum and technology-focused study visits designed to integrate educational resources across borders. Participants from six participating nations engaged in hands-on training to build digital skills through the ongoing collaborative framework.
Timeline
The UNESCO-CODEMAO Youth Coding Initiative launched in 2021.
The UNESCO Africa-Asia Youth AI Tour occurred from 20 to 25 July 2026.
The Tech Race
This tour marks an expansion of the UNESCO-CODEMAO Youth Coding Initiative by moving from foundational programming to specialized AI-focused training. It positions the collaboration as a central driver in narrowing the digital skills gap between emerging markets and established tech hubs.
For students and educators involved in these programs, the initiative provides structured access to international tech resources and collaborative learning platforms. It allows participants to build skills that are increasingly essential in the modern global economy.
The takeaway
Cross-regional partnerships are increasingly critical for developing standardized digital literacy and AI ethics training. These collaborative models help ensure that youth in diverse economies can participate meaningfully in the global technology landscape.
Further reading
Explore more initiatives and reports in the Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UNESCO.
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