The Commonwealth stands at a pivotal crossroads where technology, demographics, and economic opportunity converge. With over 60% of its 2.7 billion citizens under the age of 30, the Commonwealth possesses an extraordinary demographic advantage that, if properly harnessed alongside emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), could propel member nations into a new era of prosperity and innovation.
As an AI practitioner who has advised organisations across sectors on digital transformation, I’ve witnessed first-hand how AI can create rather than eliminate opportunities—particularly for young people. While concerns about job displacement are valid, the narrative that AI primarily threatens employment overlooks the tremendous potential for technology to create new pathways for youth engagement in the digital economy.
The Commonwealth Advantage in the AI Era
The Commonwealth’s unique characteristics—shared language, similar legal frameworks, and cultural connections—already reduce trading costs between member countries by approximately 21%. These same advantages can be leveraged to create a collaborative ecosystem for AI development and implementation that benefits all members, regardless of their current level of technological advancement.
What’s needed is not protectionism from technological change, but rather intentional investment in preparing youth for the opportunities that AI will create.
Young Commonwealth citizens are inherently digital natives, having grown up in an increasingly connected world. This familiarity with technology positions them perfectly to adapt to and thrive in AI-augmented workplaces. What’s needed is not protectionism from technological change, but rather intentional investment in preparing youth for the opportunities that AI will create.
AI as Job Creator: Success Stories Across the Commonwealth
Contrary to common narratives, AI is generating new employment opportunities across various sectors in Commonwealth countries:
In Kenya, Twiga Foods has implemented AI and machine learning for food distribution and supply chain management, creating jobs for young people in logistics optimisation, data analysis, and quality control while helping small-scale farmers increase productivity and access larger markets.
In Malaysia, the implementation of the National AI Roadmap (AI-Rmap) and collaboration with SKYMIND, an AI ecosystem builder, has fostered a growing industry that provides training and employment opportunities. The Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) has been instrumental in shifting manufacturing employment from routine assembly to higher-value positions in AI-augmented quality assurance, predictive maintenance, and process optimisation—often filled by young technical graduates.
In India, Qure.ai has developed AI solutions for medical imaging diagnostics, particularly for tuberculosis screening, extending healthcare services to underserved communities while creating roles for AI specialists, radiologists, and healthcare technicians.
In Nigeria, Nomba (formerly Kudi) has built an AI-powered financial services platform that has enabled financial inclusion for previously unbanked populations while creating thousands of jobs in agent banking, technical support, and data analysis.
More examples can be found across the Commonwealth, including Kobo360 (Nigeria), Apollo (Kenya), and Wadhwani AI (India).
These examples demonstrate that AI adoption does not simply replace jobs but transforms them and creates entirely new categories of work that leverage uniquely human skills alongside technological capabilities.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Ensuring Inclusive AI Benefits
The promise of AI cannot be fully realised without addressing the digital divide that exists both between and within Commonwealth nations. While 90% of populations in developed Commonwealth countries have internet access, this figure drops significantly in developing member states.
For AI to serve as an equaliser rather than a divider, several approaches show promise:
- Targeted infrastructure investment in connectivity solutions appropriate to local contexts, from mobile networks to community hubs with shared computing resources.
- Public-private partnerships that incentivise technology companies to develop solutions specifically for low-connectivity environments, such as offline-capable AI applications that synchronise when connectivity is available.
- Skills-based education reform that emphasises digital literacy, computational thinking, and problem-solving over rote memorisation, even in regions with limited technological resources.
Rwanda, a Commonwealth member, offers an instructive example through its “Smart Rwanda” initiative, having invested in a nationwide 4G network while simultaneously reforming education to emphasise technology skills through the Rwanda Coding Academy and partnerships with organisations like Digital Opportunity Trust. The result has been the emergence of Kigali as a tech hub attracting investment and creating youth employment opportunities through innovation centres like the Kigali Innovation City.
Building AI-Ready Talent: Beyond Traditional Education
Preparing Commonwealth youth for AI-enabled economies requires rethinking traditional approaches to education and skills development:
Micro-credentialing and skills-based certification can provide accessible pathways to employment that don’t require lengthy formal degrees. Programmes like the Commonwealth of Learning’s skills initiative are demonstrating how short-form, targeted training can quickly prepare youth for digital roles.
Apprenticeship and mentorship models that pair experienced professionals with young talent can accelerate practical skills development. The Commonwealth Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics has piloted successful programmes connecting industry experts with educational institutions.
Entrepreneurship support through incubators, accelerators, and seed funding specifically targeting AI applications can help youth create their own opportunities rather than solely competing for existing positions.
South Africa’s Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator represents a successful model, having created pathways to digital employment for thousands of young people through partnerships with technology companies seeking entry-level talent. Their “DigiLink” program specifically prepares youth for digital jobs including AI-adjacent roles, with over 75% of graduates securing sustainable employment.
Policy Considerations for Commonwealth Nations
As Commonwealth countries develop strategies for AI adoption, several policy considerations can help maximize benefits for youth:
- Regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation while protecting citizens’ interests and data sovereignty.
- Tax incentives for businesses that invest in reskilling employees and creating AI-adjacent roles rather than simply automating existing positions.
- Data sharing agreements among Commonwealth nations that enable cross-border AI development while respecting privacy and security concerns.
- Public procurement policies that prioritise AI solutions addressing local challenges and creating local employment.
Call to Action: A Commonwealth AI Compact
The Commonwealth has a unique opportunity to demonstrate how technological advancement and human development can proceed hand-in-hand. I propose a Commonwealth AI Compact with three core commitments:
- Establish a Commonwealth AI Skills Initiative targeting 1 million young people with tailored training programmes over the next five years.
- Create a Commonwealth AI Innovation Fund to support youth-led start ups developing solutions to shared challenges across member nations.
- Develop Commonwealth-wide ethical AI principles that ensure new technologies enhance rather than undermine human dignity, equity, and opportunity.
By approaching AI as a collaborative opportunity rather than a competitive threat, Commonwealth nations can leverage their shared values and connections to ensure technology serves as a force for inclusive growth and youth empowerment. The demographic dividend of our young population, combined with thoughtful AI integration, represents perhaps the greatest economic opportunity in a generation—one that we must seize together.