2026 Course Dates
12th June 2026
Access to online learning modules
15th October 2026
Global Contest submission deadline
9th - 11th December 2026
Winners award ceremony in Geneva
AI for Social Impact
Challenge
A UNITAR-certified online AI course — no coding, open to every discipline. Learn AI for social impact and build a project for the global contest.
Certificate issued by UNITAR·Delivered with Ureka·Aligned with the UN SDGs & UNESCO AI Ethics
“Today, institutions are judged not by whether they use AI, but by how responsibly they prepare students to design, govern, and apply it.”
Enrollment is open now — join this UNITAR-certified global experience
In Partnership With
Watch the Introduction
A New Standard for AI Education
See how the UNITAR-certified AI for Social Impact Challenge prepares the next generation of responsible AI leaders.
Learners are joining from around the world
UNITAR-Certified ProgrammeThe AI for Social Impact Challenge is an experience for students who want to stand out in a highly competitive environment—including those who don't have easy access to such opportunities—by solving real-world challenges with AI and earning a verifiable certificate issued by UNITAR in two of today's most critical fields: AI and sustainability. Top 10 performers earn a fully funded trip to the award ceremony at UN HQ Geneva, Switzerland.
Why Ethical AI Education Can No Longer Be Optional
As AI reshapes every industry, institutions that fail to prepare their students for responsible AI leadership risk falling behind—in rankings, reputation, and relevance.
Fragmented AI Education
Technical AI courses remain siloed in computer science departments, excluding students who need AI literacy most.
Limited Scale & Access
Quality AI ethics training is expensive and inaccessible to most institutions, especially in the Global South.
Disconnected from Real Impact
Most AI courses focus on theory without connecting to real-world social challenges or the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Governance Gap
Institutions lack frameworks for AI governance, SDG alignment, and social risk assessment—affecting credibility and rankings.
Students learn how to use AI tools, but not: how to govern AI ethically, how to align AI with the SDGs, or how to understand AI's societal responsibility. This gap increasingly affects institutional credibility, sustainability narratives, rankings, and how graduates are perceived by global employers and policymakers.
A UNITAR-Certified Learning-to-Action Solution
The AI for Social Impact Challenge bridges the gap between AI education and real-world application—with the credibility of a certificate issued by UNITAR.
UNITAR Certification
Students receive a verifiable certificate issued by UNITAR (the United Nations Institute for Training and Research).
Open to All Disciplines
No coding or technical background required. Designed for students across humanities, business, policy, health, and all fields.
Built on UN & UNESCO AI Frameworks
Direct engagement with responsible-AI frameworks, including the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and alignment with the UN SDGs.
Learning-to-Action Model
Move beyond theory with a structured AI-based solution proposal for real challenges—practical experience that matters.
Who Can Participate?
The AI for Social Impact Challenge is designed to be inclusive and accessible. Whether you're a student, young professional, or lifelong learner—if you care about using technology for good, this program is for you.
No prior AI knowledge required
The course starts from fundamentals and builds your understanding step by step. All you need is curiosity and a desire to make a difference.
School & University Students
Undergraduate and graduate students from any faculty or department.
Youth & Early-Career Changemakers
Young professionals and activists looking to leverage AI for social good.
Any Academic Background
Arts, humanities, business, science, engineering—all disciplines welcome.
Passionate About Impact
Anyone interested in social impact, policy, sustainability, or ethical innovation.
What All Students Gain (Upon Enrollment)
Every enrolled student receives these benefits upon completing the course—regardless of their final challenge ranking.
UNITAR Certification
A verifiable certificate issued by UNITAR (the UN Institute for Training and Research), strengthening your academic and professional profile.
International Exposure
Your project is assessed against criteria aligned with the UN SDGs, with opportunities for global showcasing and visibility beyond your local context.
Learning Built on UN & UNESCO Frameworks
Engage with AI ethics, governance, and responsible innovation framed by the UN SDGs and the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI—not generic AI training.
Pathways to Projects and Internships
High-performing participants stand out for future opportunities in social impact, innovation, policy, and global development fields.
Experience in Global Priority Areas
Hands-on work on challenges aligned with the UN SDGs, including climate action, mental health, education, health, equity, and inclusion.
Access to a Global Community
Connection with an international community of students, experts, and practitioners working on AI for social impact.
Stronger Personal & Professional Profile
A high-impact, SDG-aligned project that demonstrates leadership, ethical judgment, and innovation—directly enhancing CVs and portfolios.
Eligibility for a Fully Funded Trip to Geneva
Top 10 participants receive a fully funded trip to the award ceremony at UN HQ Geneva, for firsthand exposure to the responsible-AI community.
Awards & Recognition for Outstanding Students
The top 10 performers in the AI for Social Impact Challenge receive recognition and a fully funded trip to the award ceremony at UN HQ Geneva.
Fully Funded Trip to the Geneva Award Ceremony
Top 10 performers receive a fully funded trip to the award ceremony, held at UN HQ Geneva on 9–11 December 2026.
Winners' Certificate & Trophy
Recognition of excellence through a dedicated winners’ certificate and award trophy presented at the Geneva ceremony.
Preferential Access to Future UNITAR Programs
Preferential access to selected UNITAR programs and learning opportunities, where available.
Mentorship Opportunities
Direct mentorship and guidance from experts and practitioners working on AI, sustainability, and social impact.
Recommendation Letters from the Organizers
Recommendation letters from the program organizers (UNITAR & Ureka) to support academic and professional advancement.
LinkedIn Recognition Badge
A digital badge winners can display on LinkedIn to showcase their achievement in the Challenge.
Inclusion in the AI for Social Impact Yearbook
Winners are featured in the annual publication documenting outstanding projects and participants.
Recognition on UNITAR & Ureka Channels
Public recognition across UNITAR and Ureka channels, highlighting winners and their impact.
Enrollment Information
One-time enrollment fee for full access to the course and certification.
Per Student
- Full 6-hour self-paced UNITAR-certified course
- Participation in AI for Social Impact Challenge
- Eligibility for awards, recognition & exposure
- Templates, ethics checklists, submission support
- Verifiable UNITAR certificate upon completion
- Lifetime course access
Note: Course completion is required to submit your challenge proposal.
Non-refundable after enrollment
What Your Institution Gains
Bring the UNITAR-certified AI for Social Impact course to your students at scale—with bulk seats and full implementation support.
SDG & UNESCO AI-Ethics Alignment
Demonstrate commitment to responsible AI, the UN SDGs, and the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
UNITAR Certification for Students
Give your students a verifiable certificate issued by UNITAR (the UN Institute for Training and Research).
International Visibility
Position your institution as a leader in responsible AI education worldwide.
Institutional Credibility
Strengthen your reputation with a recognized UNITAR-certified program for your students.
Sustainability Reporting
Support ESG and sustainability narratives with concrete responsible-AI education initiatives.
End-to-End Support
Dedicated implementation support, analytics dashboards, and cohort management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the course and challenge.
Empowering Ethical AI Leaders
for a Global Future
Join students and institutions worldwide in building a more responsible, inclusive AI future—with a certificate issued by UNITAR.
Questions? Contact us at info@ureka.co.uk