Youth Innovation in Biotechnology and AI for Sustainable Development: A Case Study from Egypt

Over 60% of Egypt’s population is below 30 years of age, which has ramifications on the youth labour force participation rate, as well as the potential for youth fuelled sustainable developmental initiatives. This study focuses on the potential participation of the youth in the biosciences, and the innovative applications of artificial intelligence, as means to achieve inclusive economic development, and simultaneously contribute to the solution of the country’s ecosystemic problems. A qualitative – quantitative approach is used to examine the youth innovation pipeline, with a focus on the integration of the Danish – Arab Partnerships Programme’s Supported Green Enterprises acceleration initiatives, and the mobilization of innovation through Egypt’s Higher Educational System. The focus is on three dimensions: the development of human capital, innovation of technologies, impact of development. The study shows that the innovative applications in biosciences and artificial intelligence of the youth, in collaboration with some of the acceleration frameworks, enhance the valorization of agricultural waste, and contribute to the development of resource efficient, scalable, and fully bio-based products, and enterprise sustainability positively. The support frameworks of these initiatives and the acceleration supports stems from a mixture of international collaborations, which demonstrates the pathway from ideas generated by the youth, and the potential for sustainability to be achieved.