On 15 July 2025, as the world celebrates World Youth Skills Day, SmartCHANGE wants to shine a light on the need to equip young people with the skills and tools to thrive in a rapidly changing world, with their health at the core.
This year’s UN theme, "Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills", resonates deeply with SmartCHANGE’s mission to empower children and adolescents with the knowledge and technologies they need to take control of their long-term health.
Why focus on youth health?
The habits formed between ages 5 and 19 lay the groundwork for a lifetime of well-being. Yet, the statistics are undeniable: less than 5% of European 11-year-olds currently meet the mark for an ideal healthy lifestyle. SmartCHANGE tackles this head-on, targeting this critical age group to empower young people to take control, fostering lasting behaviour change and self-management skills to combat the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Empowering youth with AI and digital tools
At the heart of SmartCHANGE is the development of AI models that predict long-term cardiovascular and metabolic health risks. These models use advanced techniques such as federated learning to ensure data privacy and explainable AI to make results understandable and actionable.
To translate this technology into everyday use, SmartCHANGE is creating two key digital tools: a mobile app designed for young people and their families and a web platform tailored for health professionals. These tools provide personalised insights into health risks and recommend lifestyle changes, helping users make informed decisions.
Youth as co-creators
SmartCHANGE places great emphasis on directly involving youth in the design process. Through participatory design workshops, children, families, educators, and health professionals co-create the tools from the outset, learning about AI, data privacy, and design thinking. This approach equips young people with practical digital skills and a stronger understanding of the technologies that impact their lives.
Promoting digital and health literacy
The SmartCHANGE app is not about tracking; it's about empowering. Users discover the fun side of healthy activities and the rewards they bring both in the app and in life. SmartCHANGE is all about giving youth the knowledge and the tools to make sustainable and healthy choices.
This World Youth Skills Day, SmartCHANGE wants to highlight its dual commitment: tackling urgent youth health challenges through AI and, at the same time, empowering young people themselves. Want to follow our progress and impact? Stay connected and sign up for our newsletter.