Gowri Shankar Sivabala is among 50 young leaders selected worldwide for the 2026–2027 UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme.
Gowri Shankar Sivabala, a UAE-based AI community leader, has been selected as one of 50 young leaders worldwide for the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme (2026–2027).
The selected participants, aged between 25 and 45, were chosen from 6,786 applicants by an international jury comprising 26 members. They represent 38 countries.
Gowri Shankar, a Tamil leader in AI community building, began his social impact journey in 2013 through non-profit initiatives supporting the education of underserved children. He subsequently expanded his work into grassroots technology engagement and AI literacy, organising youth AI summits internationally and leading AI-in-education initiatives across several countries. His initiatives have reached more than 10,000 individuals across over 40 countries. He also conducts research on the integration of artificial intelligence in education.
The 2026–2027 edition of the programme focuses on human connection and dialogue in the age of artificial intelligence. Participants will receive mentoring and specialised training to develop and implement projects that promote intercultural dialogue within their communities. Each participant will receive $10,000 upon project approval to support implementation.
The programme will culminate in a Global Youth Dialogue for Peace in China, where participants will share their experiences and engage with policymakers.
As part of the programme, Gowri Shankar plans to develop initiatives exploring the intersection of human skills and artificial intelligence, with a focus on strengthening human connection and promoting meaningful dialogue in an increasingly AI-driven world.
