PURE Global spotlights teachers and youth in Climate Week AI session

PURE Global used its official Climate Week NYC 2026 session to push a simple point: AI can support climate education, but teachers and youth agency still drive meaningful learning and action. The discussion brought together education leaders, a diplomat and young people to examine how schools can turn climate awareness into participation.

Why it matters: - The Climate Week NYC 2026 session focused on a growing problem in education: technology is advancing faster than teacher support and student agency. - PURE Global framed AI as a tool that can strengthen learning, but not replace the human role teachers play in classrooms. - The discussion also linked climate education to real-world action, not just awareness.

What happened: - PURE Global hosted the official Climate Week NYC 2026 virtual session, “AI, Education & Youth Leadership for Climate Action.” - The session brought together educators, technology leaders and youth to discuss how AI can support learning and climate education. - His Excellency Dharamkumar Seeraj, High Commissioner of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to India and Non-Resident High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, delivered the special guest address. - Dr. Shyla Talluri, Founder and CEO of PURE Global, hosted the session. - Prema Sudersan, Chair of the PURE Youth Advisory Council, moderated the discussion. - Shriya Kumsi, National Student Director of PURE Youth, opened the session with a youth perspective.

The details: - Panelists included B. Srinivasa Rao, IAS, State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Aisshwarya DKS Hegde, Trustee Secretary of the National Education Foundation; and Daniel Erasmus, Founder and CEO of Erasmus.AI and Member of the Club of Rome. - The discussion stayed on after the scheduled hour, with Seeraj and the speakers remaining through the close. - Rao spoke from the perspective of public education and teacher readiness as school demands evolve. - Erasmus discussed how AI can extend learning and help educators and students engage with complex challenges. - Hegde emphasized experiential education and connecting learning to real-world problems. - Talluri said, “Climate education cannot stop with awareness. Schools and communities can become living laboratories where young people learn, experiment, participate and see that their actions matter.” - The session argued that young people need opportunities to investigate problems, test ideas and help shape solutions in their own communities.

Between the lines: - The core message was not about adding more technology for its own sake. - The panel treated AI as a support system, while teachers remained the people who bring judgment, relationships and context into learning. - The climate discussion pushed beyond information-sharing toward agency, suggesting that education works best when students can act, not just absorb facts. - The exchange echoed a broader theme in PURE Global’s work: access alone does not create participation or impact.

What’s next: - PURE Global said the Climate Week session builds on its September 20 official Digital@UNGA affiliate session, “From Access to Agency: Closing the AI Opportunity Gap for the Next Generation.” - That earlier session examined the gap between access to emerging technologies and the literacy, guidance and opportunities young people need to use them meaningfully. - PURE Global’s ongoing work appears aimed at linking AI, youth leadership and community-based learning through its programs and global Youth Hubs.

The bottom line: - PURE Global’s Climate Week message was clear: climate education and AI adoption both depend on prepared teachers, trusted youth participation and schools that connect learning to action.