The Founder and President of the Design and Technology Institute (DTI), Constance Swaniker, has urged young people to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), strengthen their technical competencies and develop entrepreneurial mindsets to remain competitive in the evolving world of work.

Speaking at the 2026 DTI Jobs & Opportunities Fair in Accra, Ms. Swaniker said Africa's greatest challenge is not the rise of automation but the failure to adequately prepare young people for emerging opportunities in an AI-driven economy.

The event, held under the theme "Navigating Skills, Careers and the Future of Work: Preparing Young People to Thrive in an AI-Enabled World," brought together academia, industry leaders, employers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, development partners and hundreds of young people.

According to Ms. Swaniker, the Fair serves as a platform to connect young people with employment, entrepreneurship and career opportunities through stronger collaboration between educators, employers and innovators.

"We do not train young people for the economy we wish existed. We train them for the economy that exists today and for the one that is emerging," she said.

She cited projections by the World Economic Forum, which indicate that while AI and automation could displace about 85 million jobs globally by 2030, they are expected to create 97 million new roles, making continuous learning and upskilling critical.

Ms. Swaniker also highlighted Ghana's youth unemployment challenge, noting that the Ghana Statistical Service estimates unemployment among persons aged 15 to 24 at 32.5 percent, with more than 1.3 million young Ghanaians currently not in employment, education or training.

She revealed that since its establishment in 2016, DTI has contributed to more than 41,000 employment and entrepreneurship opportunities across the country through its industry-driven training programmes.

Representing the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Deputy Director-General Anthony Kwame Seyram Zu reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to promoting skills development, innovation and artificial intelligence as part of Ghana's TVET transformation agenda.

He commended DTI for its demand-driven approach to technical and vocational education and assured the Institute of CTVET's continued support in strengthening workforce competitiveness.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Knowledge Web Centre and Lead Consultant for the AI Africa Project, Dr. David King Boison, encouraged young people to see artificial intelligence as an enabler rather than a threat.

"Artificial intelligence will not take your job. But a person who knows how to use it might," he stated.

Dr. Boison noted that professions such as welding, fabrication, manufacturing and design will become even more valuable when combined with AI and digital technologies.