Youth4Data Lab Toolkit

The Youth4OurDataFuture project, launched by the Datasphere Initiative with support from the Omidyar Network, empowers young people as essential voices in shaping the future of data and AI governance. As winners of the Future of Data Challenge in 2022, this initiative has already engaged over 15,000 youth globally, integrating their perspectives into critical policy forums, including the UN and G20.

The final report of the project’s first phase highlights youth participation as essential, not optional, for developing equitable and future-oriented digital policies. By connecting youth insights to pressing real-world issues such as climate change, education, employment, and mental health, the project moves beyond symbolic engagement to active, sustained involvement.

Policymakers are urged to include diverse youth voices from inception, leveraging their unique perspectives to enhance accountability, mitigate biases, and uphold human rights within AI systems. The toolkit provided emphasizes adaptable, innovation-focused governance through regulatory sandboxes, policy labs, and hackathons. Additionally, embedding data literacy into education equips young people to meaningfully engage in digital governance.

Looking forward, systematically integrating youth perspectives will ensure AI and data governance remains inclusive, ethical, and responsive. Investing in youth-led initiatives, fostering intergenerational dialogue, and evolving governance frameworks are crucial for creating a digital future that serves everyone responsibly and equitably.