About The Scholarship
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.
Apply Now
Applications are open for The Brandtech Group AI For Good Scholarship 2026.
We are looking for five young African leaders with track records of impactful and innovative solutions for sustainable and responsible use of AI.
Selected scholars will be leading initiatives with proven impact aligned with one or more the below pillars:
- AI as a tool to promote sustainability and tackle climate change.
- AI to address education access, improve learning systems, and increase productivity
- AI as a tool to combat misinformation, online hate, social harm and promote social equity
- AI as a tool to address health access, health inequality and mental well-being.
- AI for Active citizen engagement.
Candidates must apply through the application portal below. 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.
Candidates must be:
- Young leaders aged 18 to 30 at the time of the One Young World Summit 2026*.
- Nationals and residents of any African countries with demonstrated AI solutions in Africa.
- Demonstrated capacity for leadership and promoting the responsible use of AI.
- Track record of generating impactful and innovative solutions using AI to address one or more of the above five pillars ( applications from candidates whose causes may not exactly fit one of the 5 pillars will be considered if using AI positively and responsibly to drive your work).
- Understanding of key local and/or global issues.
- Willingness to engage with fellow scholarship recipients and Brandtech Group staff/management who are also attending the Summit.
*We are 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 The Brandtech Group AI For Good Sholars will receive:
- Access to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town from 3 - 6 November.
- Hotel accommodation in Cape Town between 2 and 6 (inclusive) November.
- Return air travel.
- Catering, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Ground transportation between Summit venues in Cape Town.
- Access to Pencil AI. Pencil is the world’s No. 1 generative AI SaaS platform for brands. Its Pencil Pro generative AI product is tailored specifically for global brands and revolutionises creative production, distribution and performance prediction.
- Lifelong membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community.
- Join the exceptional Brandtech AI for Good Alumni network
- Access to the One Young World Action Accelerator and expert-led mentor sessions to help turn their inspiration into action.
- Access to the One Young World Global Kickstart programme designed to provide delegates with enhanced leadership skills and principles alongside expertise around the Summit's main themes.
About The Brandtech Group
The Brandtech Group is a marketing technology group that helps brands do their marketing better, faster and cheaper using technology. It is the world’s #1 digital-only marketing group and the leading generative AI marketing group.