Deadline: 28th February 2023 | A 1-week in-person seminar with prior online engagement sessions. The seminar gears toward young leaders who are creative, love to learn about Southeast Asian cultures, and are eager to learn the impact of AI technologies on society.

About YSEALI Academy

Launched in 2020, the YSEALI Academy’s main mission is to build capacity and enhance leadership skills for young professionals ages 25 – 40 from across Southeast Asia. To realize the mission, the YSEALI Academy implements a wide range of activities, including four flagship seminars on Public Policy, Technology & Innovation and Entrepreneurship each year.

Technology and Innovation Seminar

2022 is widely regarded as the year of AI-generated art and text. Powerful software tools that write essays, make art, and compose music have emerged and are leading a new generation of AI technologies that are set to revolutionize creative work. The seminar will explore creative AI and the role of Southeast Asia’s diverse culture. Artists, writers, and musicians in Southeast Asia are molded by the local culture, as well as the digital culture. How do we make sure our diverse cultures are properly represented and respected in building these AI systems? The seminar also discusses the current disruptions and future implications of creative AI in Southeast Asia. The fellows will collaborate in ideating new ways that creative AI can benefit the region, strategizing the mitigation of risks and promoting our cultural diversity. Lastly, the seminar will generate awareness of the intellectual property and why it is important for Southeast Asia.

The combination of online engagement sessions and a week-long in-person seminar/workshops will be intensive and comprehensive, guiding the fellows on the capabilities of creative AI tools and facilitating critical thinking to make them beneficial for Southeast Asia while mitigating the risks. The lectures, panel discussion, team projects and leadership training will provide the young leaders with unique skills and experiences in a fast-changing world with regional challenges and incredible opportunities.

The seminar gears toward young leaders who are creative, love to learn about Southeast Asian cultures, and are eager to learn the impact of AI technologies on society. Eligibility requirements for candidates can be found below. Once selected, all participants will be fully funded by the U.S. Department of State to attend the seminar.

Seminar Schedule 

  • Enrollment: February 8 – 28, 2023
  • Participant selection announced: March 2023
  • Seminar dates:
    • April 2023 (Online Engagement Sessions)
    • April 24 – 28, 2023 (In-person Seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

Applicants must: 

  • Be between the ages of 25 to 35 years old (no YSEALI alumni status required); between the ages of 36 to 40 years old (YSEALI alumni status is required)
  • Be citizen of and currently residing in one of the following countries: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam
  • Be fluent in written and spoken English
  • Be able to participate in all engagement sessions in April 2023 (online) and attend the seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from April 24 – 28, 2023 (in-person)
  • Possess a passport that is valid for at least six months after your intended return date from Vietnam in April 2023 when the Technology & Innovation seminar ends.

How Can I Apply? 

Apply before February 28, 2023. Please note that:

  • All applications submitted after February 28, 2023, will not be accepted.
  • The seminar will be in a hybrid format and will require a full-time commitment in the first week of April (online) and April 24 – 28, 2023.
  • This program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of State.

Find out more and apply at the official link below:

OFFICIAL LINK

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Apply before 28th February, 2023