“But there is a 10 percent chance of improving people’s lives,” retorts business management student Daniel Wu, boldly taking the “slightly full glass” approach. “If no one takes advantage of that 10 percent chance, then no one will be successful in the future.”
Mr. Wu’s project to build a digital skills platform for rural youth, to teach them about artificial intelligence and software skills, reached the finals of the Youth Innovation Competition organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
This led to an invitation to attend the UNIDO Global Industry Summit in Riyadh, where on Wednesday he participated in a session focused on the Youth Parliament, a global discussion platform jointly organized by UNIDO and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) of Saudi Arabia.
The many young entrepreneurs present at the Summit were brimming with enthusiasm and desire to make the most of the networking opportunities on offer, with the chance to meet mentors, policy makers and potential investors.
The program featured a series of interactive dialogues; innovation highlights and mentoring sessions. The young delegates presented pioneering solutions in renewable energy, circular economy practices and digital manufacturing. These exchanges provided opportunities for policymakers and industry leaders to engage directly with young people, exploring how their ideas can be scaled up and implemented in diverse contexts.
Daniel Wu, finalist of the Youth Innovation Competition organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
‘We know how our generation thinks’
They will have to maintain that positive attitude in the face of statistics: in addition to the high failure rate, they are also hampered by a poor track record, compared to older entrepreneurs. This does not discourage Mr. Wu, who maintains that young people are worth investing in because of the unique perspective they can offer.
“We grew up with computers, with the Internet, and we know how people interact with different types of content. We have a good understanding of how our generation, the next big segment of the market, thinks, and that’s why we have a better advantage compared to older investors.”
By dedicating an entire day to young people, the Global Industry Summit sent a clear signal: the future of the industry will be defined not only by established leaders but also by the creativity, determination and resilience of the next generation. In Riyadh, that future was given a powerful voice.