The Stevens Initiative AI Ignite Lab is an exciting pilot that prepares MBZUAI and American students for their future careers by pairing AI-forward design with dialogue and collaboration for lasting community impact. Interested to learn more? Keep reading!
Program Description
The AI Ignite Lab brings together young people (ages 18-24) from the United States and the United Arab Emirates to explore how AI and emerging technology can be used for social good. The program combines AI skills and tools, human-centered design, cross-cultural collaboration, and digital storytelling to help participants understand community needs, generate ideas, and design creative solutions to real-world challenges.
Through a four-week virtual Learning Lab and intensive two-day Ideas Lab, participants will work alongside peers across cultures to strengthen their skills in AI-supported problem-solving, design thinking, communication, collaboration, leadership, and project development.
The experience culminates in a global Day of Action, when participants take their ideas beyond the screen and put them into action in their own communities. Participants will emerge with practical experience applying AI and emerging technology to real-world challenges, an expanded global network, and stronger skills to lead and succeed in their future careers.
Important Dates
- Application and Selection:
- Application opens: September 8
- Application closes: September 24
- Finalists selected: September 28
- Programming:
- Learning Lab: October 10-November 6
- Ideas Lab: November 7-8
- Team coordination/project refinement: November 9-13
- Day of Action: November 14
- TikTok/Reel due: November 18
- Culminating Virtual Celebration: November 21
Eligibility Requirements
To apply, you must:
Be 18–24 years old
You must be at least 18 and no older than 24 by September 24, 2026.
Live in the UAE or U.S.
You must currently reside in the United Arab Emirates or United States.
Have access to the technology needed to participate
You’ll need a computer, reliable internet connection, microphone, and webcam. Limited support for internet data costs may be available to selected participants with demonstrated financial need.
Be able to receive program funds
Selected participants will receive funding to support their Day of Action. You must have access to a bank account registered in your name that can accept transfers from U.S. organizations. Banking information will only be requested if you are selected.
Be available for all required program dates
Full participation in the Learning Lab, Ideas Lab, Day of Action, and Culminating Celebration is required, including asynchronous and small-group work. Review the full time commitment and required dates below before applying.
Can You Commit to the Full Program?
The AI Ignite Lab is an intensive, hands-on program that requires active participation throughout the full experience. Before applying, please make sure you can commit to all required live sessions, asynchronous work, small-group collaboration, and the Day of Action.
Learning Lab | October 10–31
Build your skills in AI, design thinking, cross-cultural collaboration, and developing solutions for social impact.
- Weekly commitment: Approximately 4 hours per week (2-hour live session; 2 hours of asynchronous preparation, including individual activities and small-group touchpoints)
- Live sessions: October 10, 17, 24 & 31 from 8am-10am U.S. Eastern Time (4pm-6pm UAE Time)
Ideas Lab | November 7–8
An intensive two-day sprint to turn your ideas into a concrete plan for your Day of Action.
- Total commitment: Approximately 12 hours across two days (4-hour live session each day; 2 hours of additional partner work each day)
- Live sessions: November 7 and 8 from 8am-12pm U.S. Eastern Time (5pm-9pm UAE Time)
Day of Action | November 14
Put your plan into action by implementing a locally relevant project or intervention in your community.
Culminating Celebration | November 21 | 8am-10am U.S. Eastern Time (4pm-6pm UAE Time)
Come back together with the full cohort to reflect, share what you accomplished, and celebrate the experience.
Applying as a Pair or Solo?
Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to apply with a partner from the same city or local community. Applying with a local partner can provide a shared understanding of your community context and allow you to collaborate closely as you design and implement your Day of Action.
- If you are applying with a partner: Each person must submit their own separate application with unique, individual responses. Please make sure to indicate your partner's full name in the designated field on the application form.
- No partner? No problem! You should absolutely still apply. We will do our best to pair accepted solo participants based on location, proximity, and shared interests.
Application Resources
Applications for the AI Ignite Lab must be submitted through this portal by September 24, 2026, at 5pm U.S. Eastern Time.
AI can be one of a set of useful tools when thinking about your application, but we most value your unique, authentic voice and perspective when reviewing your application.
Questions should be sent to stevensinitiative@aspeninstitute.org.
AI Ignite Lab is a partnership between the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and is supported by the government of the United Arab Emirates.
AI Ignite Lab
The Stevens Initiative AI Ignite Lab is an exciting pilot that prepares MBZUAI and American students for their future careers by pairing AI-forward design with dialogue and collaboration for lasting community impact. Interested to learn more? Keep reading!
Program Description
The AI Ignite Lab brings together young people (ages 18-24) from the United States and the United Arab Emirates to explore how AI and emerging technology can be used for social good. The program combines AI skills and tools, human-centered design, cross-cultural collaboration, and digital storytelling to help participants understand community needs, generate ideas, and design creative solutions to real-world challenges.
Through a four-week virtual Learning Lab and intensive two-day Ideas Lab, participants will work alongside peers across cultures to strengthen their skills in AI-supported problem-solving, design thinking, communication, collaboration, leadership, and project development.
The experience culminates in a global Day of Action, when participants take their ideas beyond the screen and put them into action in their own communities. Participants will emerge with practical experience applying AI and emerging technology to real-world challenges, an expanded global network, and stronger skills to lead and succeed in their future careers.
Important Dates
- Application and Selection:
- Application opens: September 8
- Application closes: September 24
- Finalists selected: September 28
- Programming:
- Learning Lab: October 10-November 6
- Ideas Lab: November 7-8
- Team coordination/project refinement: November 9-13
- Day of Action: November 14
- TikTok/Reel due: November 18
- Culminating Virtual Celebration: November 21
Eligibility Requirements
To apply, you must:
Be 18–24 years old
You must be at least 18 and no older than 24 by September 24, 2026.
Live in the UAE or U.S.
You must currently reside in the United Arab Emirates or United States.
Have access to the technology needed to participate
You’ll need a computer, reliable internet connection, microphone, and webcam. Limited support for internet data costs may be available to selected participants with demonstrated financial need.
Be able to receive program funds
Selected participants will receive funding to support their Day of Action. You must have access to a bank account registered in your name that can accept transfers from U.S. organizations. Banking information will only be requested if you are selected.
Be available for all required program dates
Full participation in the Learning Lab, Ideas Lab, Day of Action, and Culminating Celebration is required, including asynchronous and small-group work. Review the full time commitment and required dates below before applying.
Can You Commit to the Full Program?
The AI Ignite Lab is an intensive, hands-on program that requires active participation throughout the full experience. Before applying, please make sure you can commit to all required live sessions, asynchronous work, small-group collaboration, and the Day of Action.
Learning Lab | October 10–31
Build your skills in AI, design thinking, cross-cultural collaboration, and developing solutions for social impact.
- Weekly commitment: Approximately 4 hours per week (2-hour live session; 2 hours of asynchronous preparation, including individual activities and small-group touchpoints)
- Live sessions: October 10, 17, 24 & 31 from 8am-10am U.S. Eastern Time (4pm-6pm UAE Time)
Ideas Lab | November 7–8
An intensive two-day sprint to turn your ideas into a concrete plan for your Day of Action.
- Total commitment: Approximately 12 hours across two days (4-hour live session each day; 2 hours of additional partner work each day)
- Live sessions: November 7 and 8 from 8am-12pm U.S. Eastern Time (5pm-9pm UAE Time)
Day of Action | November 14
Put your plan into action by implementing a locally relevant project or intervention in your community.
Culminating Celebration | November 21 | 8am-10am U.S. Eastern Time (4pm-6pm UAE Time)
Come back together with the full cohort to reflect, share what you accomplished, and celebrate the experience.
Applying as a Pair or Solo?
Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to apply with a partner from the same city or local community. Applying with a local partner can provide a shared understanding of your community context and allow you to collaborate closely as you design and implement your Day of Action.
- If you are applying with a partner: Each person must submit their own separate application with unique, individual responses. Please make sure to indicate your partner's full name in the designated field on the application form.
- No partner? No problem! You should absolutely still apply. We will do our best to pair accepted solo participants based on location, proximity, and shared interests.
Application Resources
Applications for the AI Ignite Lab must be submitted through this portal by September 24, 2026, at 5pm U.S. Eastern Time.
AI can be one of a set of useful tools when thinking about your application, but we most value your unique, authentic voice and perspective when reviewing your application.
Questions should be sent to stevensinitiative@aspeninstitute.org.
AI Ignite Lab is a partnership between the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and is supported by the government of the United Arab Emirates.