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Empowering the Next Generation of AI Innovators

Founded by Youth Creativity Fund recipient Aasha Khan, Youth Tech Labs (YTL) is Canada’s first youth-led AI literacy organization, dedicated to empowering students with the knowledge, mentorship, and real-world experience needed to shape the future of technology.

YTL was created to bridge the growing gap between young people and the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.

Through hands-on projects, speaker series, and community events, YTL gives students more than just technical know-how—it offers them agency in an AI-driven world.
Aasha, a passionate advocate for ethical AI in education, founded the organization to demystify both the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies.

With the support of the Youth Creativity Fund, YTL successfully hosted its flagship Demo Day in April 2025—an event that brought together over 150 students, educators, and tech professionals at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum.

This full-day showcase celebrated high school students who had spent months developing AI tools addressing everything from mental health and education to fitness and food insecurity.
Demo Day wasn’t just a presentation—it was a high-energy celebration of youth-led innovation. Attendees explored interactive demos, heard from keynote speakers like MP Bardish Chagger and the Accelerator Centre’s Ruth Casselman, and witnessed student teams pitch their AI solutions in front of expert judges.

Projects like ClockWise (an AI-powered study companion), StudentGuidance.AI (for academic planning), and Ask Adam (a fitness assistant) were awarded cash prizes to continue developing their ideas.

YTL’s programming doesn’t stop at Demo Day. Throughout the year, students attended a seminar series featuring guest speakers from Communitech, Vidyard, and more, with sessions covering everything from AI ethics to real-world applications in healthcare and the arts.

In total, 45 students completed at least four sessions, earning certificates of recognition for their commitment.

The Demo Day grant supported speaker honorariums, event logistics, and student incentives—but its impact was far greater.

It showcased the potential of youth-led tech initiatives and proved that when given the right support, students can move from passive consumers to active creators of technology.

Looking ahead, Youth Tech Labs plans to continue growing its programming, secure larger venues like the University of Waterloo’s Federation Hall, and deepen its community partnerships.

Aasha’s leadership has not only shaped the future of YTL—it has inspired an entire region of students to see themselves as changemakers.


Website: youthtechlabs.ca
Instagram: @youthtechlabs