Young Visionaries: Where Emerging Leaders Engage Local and Global AI and Cyber Issues: Innovation, Governance, Security, and Social Good

A Tortora Brayda Institute initiative empowering exceptional high school and university students to conduct applied research, publish thought leadership, and engage with the real-world implications of artificial intelligence, techno-geopolitics, cybersecurity, and ethics.

About the Young Visionaries Program

The Young Visionaries Program is a selective outreach, research, and thought leadership initiative of the Tortora Brayda Institute, designed to amplify youth voice, outreach, and applied inquiry across AI, cybersecurity, and technology innovation ethics through ambassador activities and project‑based research and learning.

The program provides participants with hands-on experience in areas of community outreach, applied research, strategic analysis, and public-facing thought leadership. Young Visionaries work at the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and ethics. Rather than treating AI as an abstract or purely technical subject, the program emphasizes responsible, human-centered integration. Participants are challenged to explore not only what AI can do, but engage and express agency in how it should be governed, validated, and secured - particularly in high-stakes domains such as conflict prevention, international cooperation, and democratic decision-making.

Throughout the program, Young Visionaries receive mentorship and guidance from TBI-affiliated experts and practitioners. Their work culminates in original research and engagement/outreach projects with results published by TBI, contributing fresh perspectives to global conversations on responsible and secure AI adoption.

The Young Visionaries Program reflects TBI’s broader mission: to cultivate informed, ethical, and globally minded leaders capable of navigating the complex technological transformations shaping our shared future.

What Young Visionaries Do

Program Focus Areas:

• • AI and emerging technology governance, ethics, and security
  • AI and emerging technology in public and multi-national institutions 
  • Ensuring technology innovation as a social good

Core Activities:

• • Structured outreach and community/global engagement projects
  • Applied research and analysis of real-world cases
  • Writing and revision of publishable research essays and project reports
  • Mentorship and guidance

Featured Young Visionaries Work

Explore original articles produced by Young Visionaries, addressing how AI and emerging technologies are transforming diplomacy, governance, global security, and social good.

Read the Latest Articles

Who the Program is For

• High-performing high school juniors/seniors and early college students
• Demonstrated interest in AI, emerging technology, or cybersecurity
• Strong engagement/outreach skills, analytical writing talent, and intellectual curiosity
• Commitment to ethical reasoning and global awareness