As a UN leader, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala has had a unique path. Growing up in rural South Africa, his ambitions led him to study internationally, eventually completing a PhD in artificial intelligence decades before it was a household term. After many years of academic research, leadership and administration, he is now the Rector of the United Nations University (UNU) and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.

In your role as Rector of the United Nations University, how do you bridge academic research and actionable UN policy?

Throughout my career in higher education, I have seen persistent gaps between policymakers and the scientific evidence that should underpin legislation. As the research and academic arm of the United Nations, the United Nations University occupies a unique space where research insights can directly inform global policy.

In my role as Rector of UNU, I lead the university towards improving its ability to serve as a bridge of knowledge to UN Member States and between researchers and policymakers. Ultimately, these connections need to culminate in a platform of exchange where decision-makers can engage with complex scientific issues in an accessible way.

The UNU Strategy 2025–2029 emphasizes knowledge, partnerships, and impact that generate multilateral solutions to global challenges. This means fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in the Global South where UNU aims to deepen partnerships with local communities, universities, and governments. UNU research institutes are intent on working with UN system partners to ensure that academic outputs are useful to Member States at the right time and place, and can be translated into actionable, impactful policies.

Coming from South Africa and now working on the global stage, how has your perspective shaped your understanding of what underrepresented regions truly need?

I come from Venda, a unique region in northeastern South Africa. It’s the only place in the world where the Venda language is spoken. Venda’s geographic isolation and limited Western influence have shaped my worldview profoundly.

Coming from Venda has taught me that certain regions are underrepresented, not because they lack ideas or talent, but because they lack connections and platforms to voice their perspectives and communicate their needs.

For instance, I have worked in the field of artificial intelligence for decades and I have witnessed the impact that large language models have had on society. However, I am still waiting for the day when one of those models will speak my native tongue, Venda.

There remains much work to be done to ensure that technology becomes a true equalizer that represents all voices, languages, cultures and communities.

As someone deeply rooted in both science and education, how do you envision the kind of education that will prepare the next generation for the challenges ahead?

As someone who works in both worlds, it seems to me that technology is the key to many of education’s most significant challenges.

In rural schools, for instance, where qualified teachers are not available, why can’t we use online platforms to bridge the gap? Education should be accessible to all; we have the tools to make it possible.

Today, millions of young people are still denied quality education. The most vulnerable groups of society are often those most affected by the education gap — children, and particularly girls — in conflict zones, marginalized communities and impoverished areas. These contexts have widespread development challenges, but with access to education these young people can become fountains of ideas and solutions. We need to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and the opportunity to contribute.

Beyond access, the content of education must evolve. The future demands interdisciplinary knowledge. Global challenges like climate change, inequality, technological disruption and conflict are interconnected. While no student needs to master every field, education should enable students to see these connections. We must cultivate solidarity, teamwork and intercultural understanding. The way we educate must reflect our shared responsibility to each other and to the planet.

How has your own view evolved over time about the promises and perils of the digital age?

While I approach digital advances with measured optimism, I am encouraged by the remarkable progress we’ve made in a short time. Initially, I saw the digital revolution as an equalizing force, connecting people across borders and democratizing access to knowledge. In some ways, that promise has been fulfilled.

However, I’ve also come to recognize the risks. Digital platforms can deepen divisions and be weaponized through disinformation, eroding trust in institutions. Moreover, the benefits of innovation are not evenly distributed.

Despite these challenges, I remain hopeful. With thoughtful regulation and ethical governance, especially in areas like AI, we can harness digital tools to drive sustainable progress. I could go on and on about ethical AI governance, but that’s a conversation for another time!

Reflecting on your own journey, from academic leadership to high-level roles in the UN, what personal lessons or pieces of advice would you offer to young people today?

My advice to young people is simple: explore the world in its full diversity. Traveling and engaging with different cultures during my youth opened my eyes to how interconnected we are as human beings. That understanding is essential.

Today, we often speak of the Global South and Global North. I do not think those kinds of distinctions should exist in the future. We should bridge whatever divides us, because a problem ignored in one region can quickly become a global issue. Working to close these gaps is a responsibility I take seriously, but it is also a long-term endeavor which we must pass on to the next generation.

International organizations like the United Nations are central in this process. They provide a platform to address shared challenges such as peace, climate change, and poverty beyond national borders. Young people should recognize their role in shaping these global conversations and be determined to speak up and out.

In this regard, I am encouraged by the UN’s growing commitment to youth inclusion. Landmark commitments like the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations reflect a recognition that young voices matter. We can provide a platform for young people, but it is up to them to step forward, use it and continue to shape it.