Global Youth Leaders Gather in Paris for Tech Future – Dialogue Focuses on AI, Innovation, and Global Cooperation

On the afternoon of June 19 local time, the "Global Youth Convergence: Dialogue on Technology & Innovation" hosted by the Global Youth Dialogue among Civilizations Alliance (GYDCA) was successfully held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. Coinciding with Europe's flagship tech summit VivaTechnology 2026 and the traditional Dragon Boat Festival, the event integrated tech dialogue with cultural exchange, bringing together youth leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and scholars from global technology firms, international bodies, and top university alumni networks. The conference was supported by the HEC Paris Center for Digital Innovation, Cambridge University Alumni Association, Columbia University Alumni Association, LSE Alumni Association, and Sciences Po UN Association. Dr. Hu Shaofeng, Director of the Division of Science Policy and Basic Sciences at UNESCO's Natural Sciences Sector, held a special meeting with Li Jing (Founding Chair of WFT World Future Technology Summit & GAiS), Zhang Jing (Executive Chairman of GYDCA), Jie Thomas Yang (Founder & CEO of Argos Labs and Chair of GenAI Summit Paris), and Li Pei (President of HEC Digital & Blockchain Association). They conducted in-depth discussions on leveraging UNESCO's global platform for future tech innovation, AI ethical governance, Open Science, youth entrepreneurship, and international scientific cooperation. Themed "Global Convergence," the forum aligned with UNESCO's core agendas on youth empowerment, future skills, ethical governance, and cross-cultural dialogue, while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including Quality Education, Industry & Innovation, Reduced Inequalities, and Partnerships. The dialogue was moderated by Cambridge alumnus Yin Qinyue, founder of Zenna Tech. In the keynote segment, young tech entrepreneurs shared insights from VivaTechnology on AI trends, startup evolution, tech governance, and industrial collaboration. Participants agreed that innovation thrives on interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, and regional cooperation bound by a shared commitment to tech for good. The roundtable panel was chaired by Li Pei (HEC Paris). Panelists included Hind Ouzzani (Founder/CEO of HO Investing & former Google/YouTube South Europe COO), Prof. Emmanuel R. Goffi (AI Ethics Professor at ISEP France), Marcus Magarian (Head of AI Strategy at Chatsworth Securities), David Ye (Founder of R3D3 Ventures & Rong360), Hannes Van Cauwenberghe (Founder of Kroots), and Li Jing (WFT Chair). They engaged in vibrant exchanges on AI governance, digital transformation, and youth innovation leadership. GYDCA Executive Chairman Zhang Jing highlighted that the Alliance has organized youth exchanges during VivaTech for three consecutive years to build a cross-industry platform. Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival, organizers shared traditional zongzi (rice dumplings) with guests, infusing the technological dialogue with rich cultural warmth.