Insights from the Regional Consultations on the Future of Work: A Youth Vision of the World’s Future

In recent weeks, SDSN Youth continued its work on the project, A Youth Vision for the World’s Future (AYVWF). Following dialogues centered around gender equality and climate action, youth participants from Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe gathered to discuss the future of work.

Across four consultations, nearly 120 participants from over 75 countries shared their insights on a workforce defined by increased uncertainty, inequality, and technological changes. These challenges are especially significant for young people. With more than half of the world’s population under the age of 30, today’s youth will be disproportionately affected by the transformations reshaping work and society in the years ahead.

Recognizing the importance of including youth perspectives in these conversations, SDSN Youth developed the AYVWF initiative to elevate youth voices and policy recommendations, and to help inform more sustainable pathways worldwide.

AI Opportunities and Disruption

Throughout the four consultations, one recurring topic was the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Many participants expressed concern over the rapid adoption of AI in the workplace. One participant from Nepal, for example, shared that in the mental health sector, AI use is incentivized despite inadequate research on its safety.

Others argued that AI will exacerbate existing inequalities, as much of the world has insufficient access to and ownership of the digital infrastructure. One participant from Zambia shared that much of the AI innovation is concentrated in a select few countries, particularly in the Global North.

While several participants recognized the potential benefits of AI technology and supported its adoption, there were deep concerns about how workers were being upskilled and prepared for this transition. Many felt that governments, employers, and educational institutions are not adapting quickly enough to equip people with the skills needed to access emerging employment opportunities.

Growing Ineffectiveness of Education

Beyond concerns about AI, participants highlighted a growing disconnect between what is being taught in the classroom and what is expected in the workforce. Many felt that education systems place too much emphasis on theoretical knowledge, rather than practical, job-relevant skills.

Participants, particularly in Europe and the Americas, also raised concerns of overqualification. One participant from Austria, for example, cited stories of individuals who have earned secondary degrees, but ultimately found themselves working service-sector jobs. A participant from the United Kingdom echoed these concerns, noting that, “an undergraduate degree used to be a pipeline to a steady job, but now it no longer provides that same security.”

Others pointed to the growing emphasis on formal credentials as a barrier to opportunity. Participants argued that traditional education pathways are often overvalued, leaving those without access to higher education at a disadvantage. A participant from the Philippines described “a very credentialist society that not only values degrees and diplomas, but also underrewards skilled workers or skilled laborers, and then, because of that, you are unable to retain talent domestically.”

Culture in the Workplace

One theme that was repeated throughout the consultations was the lack of mentorship and guidance available to young people once they enter the workforce. A participant from South Africa observed, “CEOs, managers, and partners are not speaking to young people. So young people don’t understand what workplace readiness looks like, where they are valued in terms of skills and what would make sense in that space, and what it looks like not only to be absorbed into a company, but to stay there long term.”

Beyond limited mentorship, participants also expressed concerns about shrinking opportunities for career advancement. Many pointed to a lack of entry-level positions, while others emphasized a generational imbalance in which older generations continue to occupy the more desirable roles, limiting pathways for young generations to advance.

Additionally, participants noted that attitudes towards work are changing. One participant from China reflected on how the social and political views of young people are shaping their career aspirations, with many seeking jobs that positively shape the world. Similarly, a participant from Malta emphasized the growing importance of a work-life balance, noting that young people increasingly want careers that are both meaningful and compatible with a fulfilling life outside of work.

Proposed Solutions

Across all of the consultations, participants emphasized that preparing young people for the future of work requires a coordinated, interdisciplinary approach involving governments, industries, academia, and young people themselves. As one participant from Sri Lanka explained, “I think preparing young people for the future of work—that cannot be the responsibility of one sector.”

Many participants called on governments to strengthen labor laws and invest in more robust workforce development programs. A participant from the Netherlands argued that such programs should “go beyond job creation and focus on social inclusion, equal access, and support for vulnerable youth.” Likewise, participants from countries such as Haiti and India stressed that government policy shouldn’t focus solely on innovation, but should also support existing agricultural and informal sectors through social protections and increased regulation.

Education reform also emerged as a key priority. A participant from Bolivia emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration between industry and education to ensure students are preparing for sectors with genuine employment opportunities. A participant from Canada also highlighted the need for greater soft skills training, arguing that creativity and effective communication are just as valuable in today’s workforce as technical skills. In response to the disruption caused by AI, one participant from Jordan advocated for educational programs that teach AI-related skills while fostering lifelong technological learning.

Participants also identified areas of improvement within the workplaces themselves. A participant from the Cayman Islands raised concerns about mental health, particularly as workers face growing pressures associated with climate change, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical instability. They argued that successful workplaces should provide stronger mental health support while also creating opportunities for workers to contribute positively to their communities.

More broadly, participants encouraged employers to take a more active role in developing talent. Suggested measures include investing in training and mentorship programs, creating meaningful entry-level positions for recent graduates, and developing clearer pathways for career progression.

Moving Forward

One participant from Nigeria highlighted a recurring contradiction: Young people are often encouraged to learn about innovation in the workplace and prepare for the future, yet are rarely given the opportunities to shape the solutions themselves. As they put it, “The challenge is how do we create pathways that allow youth to actually lead where they’re capable of doing so?”

Through this project, SDSN Youth aims to elevate these perspectives and ensure that youth voices are included in conversations about workforce transformation.

A final SDSN Youth Recommendation Brief will be released in Summer 2026, presenting youth-driven recommendations for policymakers, educators, employers, and other stakeholders around the world. By translating these consultations into actionable policy proposals, the AYVWF initiative seeks to help build a future of work that is more equitable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the next generation.