On 17 April 2026, the United Nations University (UNU), Microsoft and LinkedIn will co-host a special event to launch “Responsible AI in a Global Context”, a three-course professional certificate developed by UNU in partnership with Microsoft and made available on LinkedIn Learning. This event will begin at 15:00 in U Thant International Conference Hall at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.
As adoption and use of artificial intelligence (AI) race through nearly every sector, the world faces urgent new AI-related challenges across areas such as governance, inequality, environment and sociotechnical sustainability. Solutions to these interconnected challenges depend on educational initiatives that ensure people have the skills necessary to thrive in the AI-transformed world and workplaces of tomorrow.
In the age of AI, achieving decent work for all will require that institutions, communities, young learners and seasoned professionals alike have skills and capacity to responsibly assess, adopt and apply AI. The courses included in the “Responsible AI in a Global Context” professional certificate, available free of charge on LinkedIn Learning, provide a foundation in these exact areas. Learners will gain an understanding of AI’s global impact, explore AI risks — and how good governance and human oversight can mitigate these risks — and apply that knowledge to real-world case studies of AI in action.
This event will feature addresses by UNU Rector Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Microsoft Elevate President Justin Spelhaug and LinkedIn Japan Country Manager Wakana Tanaka. Following their remarks, the participants will join a fireside chat to explore the professional certificate, the breadth of its topics and how this learning partnership represents a pivotal new approach to AI skill building. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
The event will conclude with a reception where all attendees are invited to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks while exchanging ideas and networking.
Please note that this event will be in English with simultaneous interpretation in Japanese. Advance registration (by 16 April at 15:00) is required. Please click on the REGISTER button above to access the online registration page.
Please be prepared to present identification at check-in.
Programme
Friday, 17 April 2026, 15:00–16:30
Introductory remarks
- Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala — Rector of the United Nations University; Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
- Justin Spelhaug — President, Microsoft Elevate
- Wakana Tanaka — Country Manager, LinkedIn Japan
Fireside chat
Moderator: Yukiko Nakahari — Japan Communications Specialist, UNU
Participants:
- Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala
- Justin Spelhaug
- Wakana Tanaka
