Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global economy at unprecedented speed. For young entrepreneurs, especially those from underserved or low-resource environments, this moment represents both a game-changing opportunity and an urgent risk. Through deliberate action, AI can become a powerful catalyst for inclusive growth. Without this, existing inequalities in entrepreneurship risk widening further.
Junior Achievement International (YBI)the global leader in youth entrepreneurship, explores this challenge in its political document, Harnessing AI and digital solutions to empower young entrepreneurs. The newspaper supports that the choices made today by businesses, policymakers, investors and supporting organizations will determine whether AI becomes a leveler or divider for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The transformative potential of AI — and the risk of exclusion
AI has the ability to reduce barriers to entrepreneurship more dramatically than any technology in recent decades. Tasks that once required specialized staff – from content creation to data analysis – can now be automated or simplified using accessible AI tools. For a young entrepreneur with an idea and an Internet connection, this can be a game changer.
But access to these benefits is far from equal. Even among digitally connected populations, knowledge of AI remains largely insufficient. According to the World Economic Forum, 58% of students feel unprepared for an AI-enabled workplace, and nearly half report having insufficient knowledge of AI.
These disparities aren’t just about connectivity or hardware. They reflect deeper systemic divisions around skills, affordability, trust and inclusion – divisions that determine who can participate in and shape the digital economy.
AI skills: the new frontier of inclusive entrepreneurship
The World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025 estimates that emerging technologies could create 170 million new jobs by 2025 while eliminating 92 million. Entrepreneurs best equipped with AI knowledge and digital capabilities will be able to adapt, innovate and compete.
Recognizing this, YBI developed the AI Accelerator Program, a practical initiative that helps young entrepreneurs integrate low-cost, no-code AI tools into daily business operations. Rather than focusing on technical complexity, the program combines AI knowledge with practical system building, helping founders use AI for marketing, lead generation, customer engagement, and operational efficiencies.
Importantly, the program is designed for entrepreneurs with limited resources who often lack reliable infrastructure, financing or technical support. By prioritizing affordability, practical application and inclusion, the Accelerator aims to transform young founders from passive observers of technological change into active innovators with the tools to grow their businesses.
Bridging the Gaps: Inclusion and Access
Despite rapid innovation, gaps in infrastructure, affordability and training continue to hold back many young entrepreneurs, particularly those from rural areas, low-income backgrounds or underrepresented groups. These entrepreneurs often face unreliable connectivity, limited access to training, and uncertainty about how to apply AI safely and effectively.
To realize the benefits of AI, business leaders and policymakers must consider not only technological access, but also the enabling environment around it, including responsible use of data, inclusive training, and long-term support systems.
What policymakers and investors can do
YBI’s policy paper outlines key actions that can help reduce the risk of exclusion and help underserved young entrepreneurs fully participate in an AI-driven economy. These include:
1. Develop affordable digital infrastructure
Public-private partnerships can help ensure reliable broadband access in rural and low-income areas, reducing cost barriers and promoting business continuity.
2. Integrate inclusive education with AI
Schools, TVET institutions and entrepreneurship programs should integrate AI knowledge and ethical understanding, using local languages and accessible tools.
3. Provide targeted support to businesses
Incubators, accelerators and business networks can integrate AI tools into their programs and provide mentorship that bridges both business and technical expertise.
4. Develop AI regulations favorable to SMEs
Proportionate, risk-based governance can help small businesses experiment safely without facing prohibitive compliance requirements.
5. Foster collaboration across borders and sectors
Regional hubs and youth-to-youth learning networks can accelerate knowledge sharing and help close the global AI skills gap.
Each of these actions is collaborative and requires joint leadership from business, civil society, government and investors.
A generation ready to lead
Across the world, young entrepreneurs are already proving that AI can be a catalyst for innovation, resilience and inclusive economic growth. By automating administrative tasks, expanding access to information, and increasing efficiency, AI provides new avenues for young founders to scale and compete.
But the opportunity is not guaranteed. To ensure AI becomes a tool of empowerment rather than exclusion, policymakers must act now to close the skills gap, create inclusive digital ecosystems, and invest in solutions that meet the needs of entrepreneurs where they are.
If we can do this, AI can help unlock a future in which every young entrepreneur – regardless of location, background or income – has the tools and confidence to shape tomorrow’s economy.
Read the full YBI policy document, Harnessing AI and digital solutions to empower young entrepreneurs, here.
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