Goodwall, in collaboration with Microsoft and HP Inc, has launched the NextGen AI Alliance, a global programme aimed at bridging the digital divide by equipping young people with essential AI skills. Announced ahead of the UN General Assembly and International Youth Day, the initiative seeks to make advanced digital learning accessible and relevant across emerging markets.
With AI rapidly transforming the global economy, access to foundational skills remains uneven. In Africa, where over 60 percent of the population is under 25, fewer than 30 percent have access to digital learning, and only 2 percent are exposed to AI or coding education. The NextGen AI Alliance addresses this through mobile-first, low-bandwidth training tools designed to deliver engaging, localised content tailored to regions including Africa, Brazil and India.
“Our goal is to meet youth where they are,” said Taha Bawa, Co-founder and CEO of Goodwall. The platform delivers gamified and practical lessons that link AI concepts to real-world applications, empowering young people to shape their futures in the digital economy.
Microsoft’s Naria Santa Lucia emphasised the need to ensure no one is left behind as AI reshapes the workplace, noting the company’s partnerships with schools, nonprofits and community groups to scale global access. HP’s Michele Malejki described the effort as a key step toward economic inclusion, offering young people the tools to participate in an increasingly digital workforce.
The launch comes amid major infrastructure investments supporting the AI ecosystem. BlackRock, Microsoft and others have pledged up to $100 billion to build data and energy infrastructure needed for AI systems. Meanwhile, HP has released high-performance AI PCs and developed trust frameworks to ensure ethical use, aligning technology deployment with responsible education.
The NextGen AI Alliance stands as a blueprint for inclusive innovation, combining education, access and practical support to help young people become creators—not just users—of AI. In doing so, it contributes to a broader vision of equitable growth through digital skills, reinforcing the UK’s position alongside global partners in advancing responsible AI development.
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