AI for Good stories

Inspiring global youth through robotics

In 2024-2025, the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge has launched under the topic of Disaster Response. As a global robotics competition organized by the International Telecommunication Union, this year’s participants showcase their talent and skill in developing autonomous robotics solutions for first responders in disaster situations.

by

Cindy X. S. Zheng

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In 2024-2025, the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge has launched under the topic of Disaster Response. As a global robotics competition organized by the International Telecommunication Union, this year’s participants showcase their talent and skill in developing autonomous robotics solutions for first responders in disaster situations.

The competition is open to any individual or team that is ready to design, build, and code a robotic solution that addresses the given challenge. As qualifying tournaments, the winning teams of the national events are invited to the Grand Finale in Geneva during the AI for Good Global Summit 2025.

The inaugural Challenge took place in New Delhi as part of AI for Good Impact India at the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024. Please see the accompanying AI for Good article for more details.

Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Brazil

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Brazil took place on November 30th 2024 in the country’s capital at USP – Universidade de São Paulo. With National Organizer i2i Institute, 16 teams from various schools in São Paulo found their way to the exciting competition.

We congratulate team Cyberdragons, winner of the Junior Category Sancabots ao Resgate, winner of the Senior category!

Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Zimbabwe

The first-ever African edition of the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge took place in Zimbabwe on January 15th 2025 at Harare Institute of Technology (HIT).

In partnership with Omorfo Tech Labs and supported by Digital Skills for Africa Youth Initiative (DISAYI), Elevate Trust Zw, Netro Electronics Zimbabwe, Techsolutely, and alumni from the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Alumnae Zimbabwe, the national qualifying tournament organised an impressive showcase of young Zimbabwean talent coming from eight high school and five primary school teams.

The competition broke barriers by inviting participants from rural areas as well as urban centres, realizing the inclusivity that is at the heart of the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge.

We welcome junior category winner Westridge Primary School and Senior category winner Mavhudzi High to the Grand Finale in July 2025.

Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Zambia

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Zambia took place on January 25th 2025 at the National Science Center in the country’s capital Lusaka. Fifteen teams competed in this edition of the global robotics championship.

This event was made possible through National Organizer EO Robotics Lab and the support from TME Education, kairosCoding, and Kumbukani Donald Mwase.

This event also featured Kondwani Nyirenda, Mechatronics Engineer and founder of Uniplexity AI, as a Speaker in the event programme.

“We are incredibly proud of Timothy and the Robot Rangers for their outstanding achievement […] At EO Robotics Lab, we build, inspire, and empower the next generation of innovators, and this win is a testament to our mission” EO Robotics Lab (SMART Zambia – E-Goverment Division)

We look forward to welcoming the winning junior team Munali Boys Secondary School with their mentor Mr. Stanslous Simwaka and senior team Robot Rangers with Timothy Zimba to the Grand Finale in Geneva!

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge is in its first year and has already reached almost 8,000 participants in over 25 countries globally, more than half of them in developing nations. After four exciting National Events, we look forward to all upcoming tournaments until we reach the Grand Finale.

Launch your own local chapter of the Robotics for Youth Challenge in 2025-2026 by applying until 1st of June 2025 on the dedicated AI for Good page.

Other ITU-led initiatives in AI for Good that contribute to global STEM education are the AI Skills Coalition that launched with more than 25 partner organizations to bridge the AI skills gap by democratizing access to AI education and AI for Good’s Young AI Leaders Community.

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