> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 💡 Young learners in an AI-first world: what policy is needed? - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/young-learners-in-an-ai-first-world-what-policy-is-needed/ - Published: 2025-12-12T07:00:23.000Z - Updated: 2025-12-12T07:00:23.000Z - Description: As governments scale AI upskilling, a new report points to areas where child-centred AI policies are still developing. - Author: QS - Tags: AI & Digital Innovation **Hello** 👋 Governments and companies are racing to build national AI talent pipelines, but few are accounting for the group already using AI the most: children. UNICEF’s updated guidance makes it clear the world is scaling AI skills for adults while leaving minors to navigate powerful systems with minimal guardrails. UNICEF’s *AI for Children* recent guidance outlines [10 requirements for child-centred AI](https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/reports/policy-guidance-ai-children?ref=newsletters.qs.com), including safety, privacy, fairness, explainability, inclusion, and future skills preparation, and adds new focus areas such as AI companions, environmental impact, and dataset toxicity. Meanwhile, global upskilling initiatives are accelerating: - Microsoft’s [**$17.5B India investment**](https://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-invests-17-5-billion-in-indias-ai-infrastructure-and-skills-training/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) aims to expand national AI infrastructure and skills. - OpenAI launched an initiative to train [**10M Americans**](https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2025/12/10/4E5RWPK46NB4XFNTA777263VYM/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in AI foundations. - China and Nigeria’s [**NAISCA initiative**](https://www.nigeriastartupact.ng/china-nigeria-launch-naisca-to-train-youths-in-ai-skills/?ref=newsletters.qs.com#google%5Fvignette) will train youth and build national AI capability. - Australia plans to provide [**free AI training** ](https://www.manmonthly.com.au/ai-training-for-one-million-australians/?ref=newsletters.qs.com)to over one million citizens. - [**FedEx**](https://www.logupdateafrica.com/technology/fedex-launches-global-ai-education-programme-for-its-workforce-1357361?ref=newsletters.qs.com) is rolling out a global AI education program for its workforce. - Universities, [**including Pace**](https://www.lohud.com/videos/news/education/2025/12/04/new-ai-program-coming-to-pace-universitys-computer-science-school/87587241007/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), are adding dedicated AI degree pathways. As young people begin using generative AI in more settings, questions remain about how national strategies will address age-appropriate literacy, safety, and rights-aligned design for younger users. Expect ministries of education and policy makers to begin aligning AI-literacy standards, edtech procurement rules, and data-protection frameworks with UNICEF’s child-centred AI requirements or other respected guidelines, closing the widening gap between national AI-skills strategies and child safety standards. **Insights turn into action. Explore the latest AI in Education Intelligence.** See our latest [AI in Education Digest](https://my.holoniq.com/Briefings/5KGMPG6S4WF80BOPSFIX6?ref=newsletters.qs.com) on the HolonIQ Analytics Platform or [request a demo](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?ref=newsletters.qs.com). ### Key Uses of Generative AI for 14-22 Year Old's ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2025/12/image-1-1-1.png) Source: HolonIQ by QS --- ### ⭐ **AI & Digital Innovation Spotlight** This week, AI tools for education and training advanced through platforms that support pilot simulation, generate educator feedback, and assist teaching and learning across K-12 and higher education. **✈️ AXIS Flight Simulation**[ **unveiled**](https://airsideint.com/axis-flight-simulation-launches-ai-powered-platform-to-improve-pilot-training/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **the AXIS AI Debriefing Station,** an AI-powered platform that monitors pilot simulator sessions, evaluates flight performance in real time, and delivers data-driven debrief reports to improve training consistency and support competency-based assessment. **📝 2gnoMe** [**introduced**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2gnome-introduces-responsible-ai-feedback-giving-principals-back-time-and-earning-ai-validation-badge-from-the-danielson-group-302629953.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **a responsible AI feedback feature for educators**, generating draft evaluation narratives from anonymized data (each editable by human principals), earning The Danielson Group’s “AI Validation Badge.” **📘 McGraw Hill** [**expanded**](https://thejournal.com/articles/2025/12/02/mcgraw-hill-expands-gen-ai-tools-for-teaching-and-learning.aspx?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **its generative-AI tools for K-12 and higher-ed:** its “Writing Assistant” supports student writing assignments, and “Teacher Assistant” helps educators plan units, adjust pacing, and tailor course resources aiming for broader rollout in 2026\. --- ## **🤝 Policy & Partnerships** This week, governments and universities advanced AI through onshore model development, statewide programs, and workforce training to integrate AI into education, research, and public services. 🧩 **Sovereign Australia AI** [**announced**](https://itwire.com/it-industry-news/strategy/sovereign-australia-ai-announces-new-research-partnerships-with-unsw-and-deakin-university-to-%E2%80%98advance-sovereign,-ethical-ai%E2%80%99.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **partnerships with UNSW and Deakin University** to build, train and host foundation-models entirely onshore and co-develop benchmarks, tools, and research including PhD sponsorships to embed Australian linguistic, legal and cultural context into AI systems. 🏛️ **University of Kentucky** [**launched**](https://campustechnology.com/Articles/2025/12/02/University-of-Kentucky-Initiative-to-Advance-AI-Efforts-Across-the-Campus-and-State.aspx?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **CATS AI**, a statewide program covering all 17 colleges, libraries, research/health-care entities, and rural services to expand AI adoption for teaching, learning, research, health care, and operational efficiency across the state. 🌐 **Uzbekistan committed to** [**train**](https://www.gazeta.uz/en/2025/12/02/five-million/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) **five million AI-specialists by 2030**, including students, teachers and public servants via investments in super-computing infrastructure, AI-centered curricula, and startup support, backed by nearly US$2 billion in AI and digital investment announced by the government. --- ## 💪 **Power Moves & Funding** ## 🏫 **Perry Township Schools** has received a [US$40M](https://www.wthr.com/article/news/education/perry-township-schools-receive-life-changing-grant-lilly-endowment-inc-indianapolis/531-76061f5d-46e1-4e39-af66-b72cd9991bd2?ref=newsletters.qs.com) grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to expand educational programs and student support initiatives. 🤖 **Microsoft** announced a [$17.5B](https://www.webpronews.com/microsoft-invests-17-5-billion-in-indias-ai-infrastructure-and-skills-training/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) investment in India to boost the country's artificial intelligence infrastructure and provide AI skills training. 🚀 **Luca**, a student-experience platform, has raised [US$8M](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/frederico-bello-25786253%5Fwhy-we-invested-in-luca-activity-7401621229733838848-gBpY?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in a Series A to scale its digital learning tools and enhance engagement and career-preparation features. 🧪 **University of Innsbruck** has secured [US$4.6M](https://www.uibk.ac.at/de/newsroom/2025/zwei-neue-forschungsnetze-bewilligt/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) in funding for two new research networks from the Austrian Science Fund FWF, focusing on the Dark Universe and quantum systems of neutral atoms. 🎓 **Kent and Greenwich Super University** has been formed through a [merger](https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/145675/03-12-2025/the-kent-and-greenwich-super-university-merger/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) of two universities to create a larger institution with expanded academic offerings and research capabilities.