Interviews by Rui Pastorin
The finals of “AI for SDGs – Global Youth AI Future Innovation Competition” took place yesterday at The Londoner Macao in Cotai, where three teams from Macau and 12 from other parts of the world delivered their final pitches, while the winning teams received their awards at the end of the day.
Marking its inaugural edition, the competition is part of the United Nations University (UNU) Macau Milestone Series’ flagship events that celebrate both the UN’s 80th and the UNU’s 50th Anniversaries.
The competition, guided by the UNU, was organised by the UNU Global AI Network in conjunction with UNU Macau and Venture Cup China, with academic support from the Institute for AI International Governance at Tsinghua University and venue sponsorship by Sands China. Its theme followed “AI for the Environment: Ecological Environment and Green Transition Challenges” and featured four tracks: “Climate Change Adaptation”, Environmental Protection and Conservation”, “Clean Energy” and “AI for Less Developed Countries”, challenging youths to come up with AI solutions.
Venture Cup China Executive Director and UNU Global AI Network Board Member Jane Wu told the Post that she deemed this first edition of the competition a success, noting that they received diversified applications beyond what they had anticipated, garnering inspiring entries.
“I feel that this brings the next level of how to empower digital transition, green transition and also empowered together with youth-led technology to tackle the challenge of the SDGs [the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals].”
Wu further remarked on AI’s growing importance and why it is something that could be worth exploring for youngsters, noting that it could become a tool in the future. “It’s not something like super rocket science but rather, a skill set” and mindset that youngsters should acquire and use together with other aspects.
She added that young people would benefit from applying it early into different areas such as their lives, studies or business and by having it at the back of their minds.
Moreover, UNU Macau Senior Consultant Paula Hidalgo-Sanchis, who was one of the jury members, told the Post that they saw interesting, provocative and creative ideas, which are necessary to address challenges in sustainable development.
She went on to highlight the power of youth innovation, noting: “I believe that there is a need for innovation to tackle the challenges of today’s world and [the] youths are in the best position to have these ideas because they just think that everything is possible”.
Hidalgo-Sanchis also pointed out the importance of the youths’ positivity when it comes to the future and taking on its challenges given that they are naturally more optimistic and explore opportunities.
Looking ahead
Both Hidalgo-Sanchis and Wu were asked by the Post about the future of the competition. For Hidalgo-Sanchis, she encouraged anyone with a good idea to apply for the global competition, which sees applicants from diverse backgrounds and countries. “It’s, of course, contextualised where we are in this part of the world, but it’s really open for anybody and it’s open for very diverse solutions. So, in that sense, many solutions can be fit into this competition”, she concluded.
Wu, meanwhile, spoke of its outcomes, saying that they might be able to see a potential proof of concept from participating teams as every solution has a fitting market, which offers good opportunities. “We would like to see how they [the teams] can go forward and test it and prove their concept in the market of Macau or in the market of ‘greater China’”.
Looking ahead at future editions, Wu said they are evaluating possible topics to explore such as looking at AI and its applications in green transition, finance, education and even health, aiming to evaluate the possibilities.
The UNU Macau Milestone Series event will continue with the UNU Macau AI Conference 2025 today, which marks UN Day, at the Galaxy International Convention Centre (GICC) in Cotai. The final event, UNU Macau AI Education Day, will take place at Wynn Palace.
One can find more information on https://unu.edu/macau
Venture Cup China Executive Director and UNU Global AI Network Board Member Jane Wu (1st row, 1st from right) and UNU Macau Senior Consultant Paula Hidalgo-Sanchis (1st row, 3rd from left) pose with other judges, representatives and competition participants attending yesterday’s award ceremony at The Londoner Macao. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
