Published: 23 Jul 2026 1,394 views
Artificial Intelligence (AI) development is moving at a rapid scale. It is fast transforming every aspect of our lives and society. It is playing a greater role in the way government engages young people, improving healthcare and learning systems, redefining the workforce and increasing productivity. AI is not also without challenges, AI-related infrastructure is linked to greenhouse gas emissions and e-waste; and AI is misused to spread misinformation and image-based abuse, yet, young leaders are working to ensure that AI is used to tackle social and environmental issues, rather than exacerbate them
Young people are at the core of the AI transformation and are using AI to tackle some of the world’s most pressing political, economic, social, environmental and health challenges. AI is increasingly becoming used as a central tool in tackling the climate emergency by revolutionising the way we preserve our environment, it is being deployed to strengthen healthcare systems by enabling the quick and cost-efficient diagnosis of traditionally underserved patients, and AI programmes are being deployed to detect and eliminate online hate or misinformation. However, with the growing transformation in every sector that AI has brought, Africa, with the fastest growing youth population, is still behind in AI development and deployment.
AI is one of five plenary challenges for the One Young Summit in Cape Town this year. The Summit will explore how AI can power opportunities for the next generation, reshape the world of work, offering both challenges and opportunities for the next generation.
Following the success of the last two years, The Brandtech Group is teaming up with One Young World to launch the 2026 Brandtech Group AI For Good scholarship. The scholarship seeks to identify and elevate five incredible young African leaders for the sustainable and responsible use of AI.
| Application Deadline | 02 Aug 2026 |
| Country to study | South Africa |
| Type | Fellowship |
| Sponsor | One Young World |
| Gender | Men and Women |
Selected The Brandtech Group AI For Good Sholars will receive:
Candidates must be:
*One Young World is not able to accept applications from those who will be aged under 18 at the time of the Summit. The One Young World team will consider candidates who are older than 30, pending demonstration of appropriate personal impact, initiative, and willingness to engage.
Selected scholars will be leading initiatives with proven impact aligned with one or more the below pillars:
Please note that if longlisted for the scholarship, you may be invited to submit additional documentation, including references and video pitch as part of the application process.
Check also:
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027
For more information, kindly visit One Young World scholarship webpage.