UNESCO

🌍 Recognizing research that shapes more inclusive societies UNESCO invites nominations for the Juan Bosch Prize 2026, awarded to an outstanding young researcher in the social and human sciences from Latin America and the Caribbean. The Prize recognizes research that not only advances knowledge but also informs public policy and contributes to social transformation. Open to scholars under 40, it highlights innovative, policy-relevant work grounded in social justice and equity. In addition to the US$12,000 award, the Prize offers international visibility and recognition within the global social science community. If you know a researcher whose work is making a difference, we encourage you to nominate them. 🗓 Deadline: 15 March 2026 (GMT+1, Paris time) 🔗 More information: https://lnkd.in/eb3WeAmf #JuanBoschPrize

As #IASEAI2026 wraps at UNESCO Headquarters, relive this powerful conversation with AI pioneer and Turing Award laureate Yoshua Bengio. Reflecting on AI’s potential for global good, and the urgent need to balance innovation with human agency, Bengio underscores the importance of UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, the first global normative framework on AI ethics. Through capacity-building, policy guidance and monitoring, UNESCO supports countries in embedding human rights, transparency, fairness and sustainability across AI systems. Let’s champion human agency and ensure that AI truly serves humanity. Rewatch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/eiyR3-kH International Association for Safe and Ethical Artificial Intelligence, Inc.

AI must advance human well-being and uphold our shared ethical principles. Innovation cannot come at the expense of safety, dignity or human rights. When #ArtificialIntelligence is developed without people at its centre, it can reinforce inequalities, disrupt labour markets, undermine privacy, and pose risks to health and civil liberties. UNESCO has been at the forefront of international efforts to ensure that science and technology develop with strong ethical guardrails. Through the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, the Organization supports countries in strengthening governance frameworks and building the capacities needed for inclusive and sustainable AI. On the occasion of the International Association for Safe and Ethical Artificial Intelligence, Inc. Conference held at UNESCO Headquarters, we spoke with Alondra Nelson about the importance of human-centred AI and the need for global cooperation. Listen to her insights and learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/eKRUB496

🌍🌱 Youth are not waiting for change — they are leading it. Take a look back at the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum in Samarkand, where 145 young climate leaders from 135 countries came together to shape solutions to the climate crisis — adopting a Call to Action, Global and Regional Recommendations, and five youth-led projects for implementation. Their message still resonates: climate action must happen now — and young people must be central to decision-making for a just and sustainable future. The Forum’s conclusions were presented to Member States at UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference, helping inform UNESCO’s future priorities. Through the UNESCO Youth Forum and its wider work, UNESCO advances meaningful youth engagement in policy dialogue, strengthens youth leadership, and empowers young people to drive change across education, the sciences, culture and communication. 🔗 Learn more: https://unes.co/qwemad #UNESCOYouthForum #Youth4Climate Lidia Brito Souria Saad-Zoi

📣 Applications are now open for the 2026 UNESCO #WorldHeritage Young Professionals Forum in the Republic of Korea! Bringing together young professionals engaged in the protection, management and safeguarding of natural and cultural World Heritage, the Forum strengthens skills, deepens commitment and advances sustainable heritage governance. Participants will exchange with experts, engage in site-based learning and help shape the future of heritage. Learn more and apply by 15 March: https://lnkd.in/eNJQrwuG Korean National Commission for UNESCO

We created AI — but can we control it? Yoshua Bengio on the Ethics of AI In a world racing towards more efficient and bigger artificial intelligence, Yoshua Bengio, one of the Godfathers of AI, is sounding the alarm about the risks to humanity. Bengio is advocating for human agency over machine capabilities, and pushing for a more ethical AI to be built that takes into account what benefits humanity. Interviewed by Gabrielle Menezes, UNESCO's Chief of Digital Channels, Bengio offers vital guidance on equitable governance, echoing UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI: a global framework championing human rights, transparency, fairness, and sustainability to harness AI for all humanity. Watch this pivotal dialogue during the International Association for Safe and Ethical Artificial Intelligence, Inc. IASEAI'26 held at UNESCO HQ and learn how UNESCO is empowering responsible innovation for all.

In this month’s Snapshots, we share impact stories and beneficiary voices from UNESCO’s action across the globe. From South Sudan to Nepal and Madagascar, discover how UNESCO is fostering people-centered innovation and technologies that respond to real needs on the ground. Together with our partners, we are advancing smarter solutions and driving meaningful impact worldwide. #ForThePeople Khaled El-Enany Ezz

Over the past decade, artificial intelligence has shifted from a specialized technology used by a few to a central driver of digital transformation worldwide. Large language models (LLMs) now underpin many of the generative tools people rely on daily, from chatbots and translation services to content creation platforms. As adoption accelerates, so does the need to address AI’s environmental footprint. UNESCO's new report, Smarter, Smaller, Stronger: Resource-Efficient Generative AI & the Future of Digital Transformation (2025), developed in collaboration with UCL, highlights a critical insight: while AI systems can be energy-intensive, practical and scalable solutions exist to make them more sustainable. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ehdpPQCn

#ArtificialIntelligence is transforming how we create, communicate and connect — raising vital questions about the role of technology in shaping our shared future. Following his first‑ever concert at Samarkand’s UNESCO World Heritage‑listed Registan Square, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Jean-Michel Jarre reflects on the interplay between art, music and AI, and how technology can amplify — not replace — human creativity. His insights echo UNESCO’s commitment to advancing ethical frameworks for AI that protect human dignity, foster cultural diversity and promote artistic freedom. As UNESCO leads global efforts to ensure that digital innovation serves humanity, this conversation invites us to imagine a future where creativity, technology and culture evolve in harmony. Join us in promoting intercultural dialogue and #SharingHumanity. Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eNBDQ9dT

Every partnership tells a story, the one between UNESCO and the The Royal Commission for AlUla is written through heritage, people, and knowledge. Since 2021, UNESCO and the Royal Commission for AlUla have built a pioneering strategic partnership rooted in advancing knowledge, safeguarding heritage, and empowering communities. In 2025, this collaboration reached new milestones, from high-level trainings on intercultural dialogue and the safeguarding of audiovisual and documentary heritage, to initiatives strengthening the skills of communities and young researchers at the forefront of heritage preservation and conservation. The year was marked by flagship moments: reimagining UNESCO visitor centres as spaces for dialogue and connection; amplifying storytelling traditions to foster intercultural understanding; and supporting scientific research that strengthens World Heritage management. As 2026 unfolds, we remain committed to turning shared vision into action, connecting heritage, people, and knowledge to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future. 🌐 https://lnkd.in/eqhT8WQM