Young people at the UN set new AI standards for the future of work and education

Young people from various parts of the world gathered at the headquarters of the United Nations (UN) in New York to launch an initiative that aims to create global standards for the use of artificial intelligence (IA). The immediate focus is the impact of technology on the future of work and education. According to the UN News portal, the movement wants to ensure that new generations are prepared for a world in rapid technological transformation — not just reactive to it.

The meeting takes place at a critical moment: Generative AI tools are already being adopted in offices, schools and factories, while governments and companies still run to understand how to regulate their use. Young people argue that any new pattern needs to be built with the active participation of those who will be most affected by these changes.

Why are young people leading this discussion?

Young people are the generation that will live with the effects of AI for longer — both in professional life and in education. While more experienced workers can adapt in more advanced career stages, students and new graduates are already born in an environment where AI is a daily element. This perspective makes young voices essential at the negotiating tables on regulation and technical standards.

In addition, many young people have direct experience with the opportunities and risks of technology: the use of AI assistants to study even the concern with the automation of entry jobs. The initiative launched in New York aims to shape these concerns organised.

What do the UN and young people propose?

According to UN News coverage, the meeting aimed to launch a process of building standards that guide the development of AI focusing on inclusion, transparency and human rights. The idea is that these standards serve as a reference for schools, companies and public policy makers in different countries.

The initiative does not start from scratch: the UN is already working on ethics in AI and digital cooperation. The novelty is the explicit mobilization of young defenders, who want to transform diffuse demands into concrete parameters — such as guidelines for the use of AI in classrooms and for professional requalification in sectors most affected by automation.

How does this affect the future of work?

The future of work is one of the most sensitive points of discussion. While AI promises to increase productivity, it also raises doubts about what skills will be valued in an automated market. Young participants argue that standards need to stimulate continuous learning, critical thinking and collaboration between humans and machines — rather than simply replacing jobs.

A recent survey, for example, shows that 34% of AI developers do not have formal programming training. This fact reinforces the importance of affordable and flexible education standards, something that the new generation puts at the center of the agenda.

What should Brazilians and technology professionals observe?

For Brazilians who work with technology, the UN initiative is a sign that AI should be discussed not only as a technical tool, but as a matter of global governance. Accompanying these developing standards can help developers and companies anticipate compliance requirements and best practices — especially at a time when the market requires more responsibility in the use of AI models.

Although the meeting took place in New York, it also makes room for voices from the Global South to participate in the construction of standards. The central message is clear: AI needs to be designed with the next generations, not just for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who attended this meeting at the UN?

Young defenders from various countries, invited by the UN to discuss the impact of AI on areas such as work and education, participated.

What are the main objectives of the new AI standards?

The objectives include ensuring that the AI is developed ethically, inclusively and transparently, focusing on preparing new generations for market and education transformation.

How can I accompany this initiative?

The initiative was reported by the [UN News] portal (https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/08/1168129), which should continue to disclose updates on the next steps of the movement.