Yangon & Mandalay, Myanmar, 28-30 March 2026 — The Frontier Tech Leaders (FTL) Programme marked the successful completion of its first Machine Learning Bootcamp and the Climate Resilient Agriculture Hackathon in Myanmar.. Held at Yangon and Mandalay over a three-days course period, these two events established a hallmark for the FTL Programme.  

Launched in May 2025, the FTL Programme Myanmar aimed to equip young people with practical skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and leadership to address pressing development challenges. While one in four young people is unemployed in Myanmar according to a recent UNDP study, the FTL Programme launched the Machine Learning Bootcamp training to upskill youth from Myanmar to easily integrate them in the rapidly evolving AI-driven job market. The Bootcamp training attracted strong interest, receiving 1,170 applications. Following a rigorous selection process, 129 participants were admitted, and 60 successfully completed the intensive three-month training programme.

The Bootcamp training also set a new benchmark for inclusivity, achieving a 50 percent gender balance among graduates, including 30 women—an important milestone in promoting equal access to digital opportunities. A central highlight of the programme was the development of 13 AI and machine learning-based capstone projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating how technical skills can be applied to real-world challenges. Top three projects aimed to eliminate varying challenges including severe traffic accidents and snake poisoning which help reduce injuries and deaths. 

In addition to the Bootcamp training, the FTL Programme expanded its reach through community-level trainings, equipping over 217 youth across Myanmar with skills in Advanced Python, Generative AI, Large Language Models, and Cybersecurity.

The FTL also hosted the Climate-Resilient Agriculture Hackathon to engage young innovators to make the Myanmar’s agriculture sector climate-ready with frontier technologies. The Hackathon challenged young innovators to develop AI-driven solutions to address the major climate-related challenges that agriculture sector faces and in line with the needs of smallholder farmers in Myanmar. In the lead-up to the final pitches, teams worked closely with mentors and engaged directly with farming communities to better understand the challenges they face. 

Eighty-five participants formed 19 teams for the Hackathon, including five Bootcamp graduates. One of the runner-up team was led by FTL Bootcamp graduates. Among the winning ideas were the applications that provide targeted guidance on climate-resilient crops, including specialized support for mushroom cultivation, as well as more comprehensive AI tools that integrate weather forecasts, market data, and information on crop and livestock diseases into a single, accessible platform. 

The winning teams will receive continued support, including incubation and mentoring, to further develop their prototypes. The long-term ambition is to integrate one of these AI applications into ENCORE’s agro-advisory platform—part of a UNDP Myanmar initiative that supports rural communities in recovering from crises and building climate resilience—bringing real-time, actionable insights directly to farmers. 

The event convened government representatives, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and emerging tech leaders to recognize the achievements of the graduates and their contributions to Myanmar’s digital future. Distinguished representatives of FTL Programme partner institutions highlighted the importance of investing in youth and digital transformation in Myanmar. 

Mr. Sahba Sobhani, Director of UNDP ICPSD, emphasized the programme’s broader vision:

“The FTL Myanmar Programme graduated 60 young leaders from a Bootcamp that drew 1,170 applicants and achieved 50 percent gender balance. Beyond the Bootcamp, the Programme has trained 220 youth in Advanced Python, Gen AI, Large Language Models, and Cybersecurity, and will provide specialized training for earthquake-affected youth to help restore opportunities through frontier technologies.”

Representing the Presidency of Strategy and Budget of Türkiye, Mr. Uğur Akarsu highlighted the strategic importance of youth empowerment:

“Türkiye has been an active supporter of Myanmar through the devastating climate crises that affected tens of thousands but today marks another milestone. We proudly welcome 60 new Frontier Tech Leaders from Myanmar. You are now equipped to become innovative leaders, driving change and shaping a brighter future for your communities.”

UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Nori Shimomura underscored the urgency of such initiatives in the current context where around three million, are not in employment, education, or training, with rates reaching as high as 42 per cent in conflict-affected areas.

“The Programme provided participants access to world-class training and certifications, including from The University of Pennsylvania and Amazon Web Services. Beyond the Bootcamp training, FTL has also engaged young people through community events in Yangon, Mandalay, and Sagaing, particularly those affected by the recent earthquake.”

Speaking on behalf of the Bootcamp graduates, Ms. Nay Chi Moe Oo reflected on the transformative impact of the programme:

“This experience has shaped my career direction by preparing me to use AI and data-driven approaches to address real-world problems and contribute meaningfully to society.”

She further emphasized the collective responsibility of young professionals:

“As individuals who have had access to education and opportunities, we have a responsibility to give back, to mentor, and to empower the next generation.”

The Frontier Tech Leaders Programme continues to expand its impact through community trainings, mentorship for hackathon projects, job fairs and future-focused initiativesincluding targeted support for earthquake-affected youth and pathways to global professional certifications.