Recognizing Programs Preparing People to Thrive Alongside AI

Share the ideas that are helping all of us to build skills, confidence and opportunities.

2026 Mesh Awards

Learning Program Categories

The Mesh Awards recognize programs across K–12, Higher Education, and Professional Development that prepare people to thrive in an AI-transformed world.

Categories are intentionally broad and human-centered, focusing on real outcomes rather than specific technologies – reflecting the principle of humans and intelligent systems working together.

Human / AI Readiness

Preparing people to confidently and responsibly work with AI

This category recognizes programs that build AI literacy, practical capability, and informed judgment so individuals can engage with intelligent systems effectively and responsibly.

The strongest programs will go beyond tool training to help participants develop:

  • Confidence using AI in real contexts
  • Critical thinking about AI outputs
  • Ethical awareness and responsible use
  • Adaptability as tools evolve

This category applies across:

K–12

  • AI literacy curriculum
  • Student AI projects
  • Responsible AI education

Higher Education

  • AI-integrated coursework
  • Cross-disciplinary AI programs
  • AI fluency initiatives

Professional Development

  • Workforce AI readiness
  • Employee AI adoption programs
  • Leadership AI capability development

Key question for judges:
Did this program help people become capable and thoughtful participants in an AI-enabled world?

Human Skills for the AI Era

Strengthening the uniquely human capabilities that AI cannot replace

This category honors programs that cultivate the durable human capabilities that become more valuable as AI advances.

These include:

  • Creativity and innovation
  • Collaboration and communication
  • Ethical reasoning
  • Systems thinking
  • Problem framing
  • Emotional intelligence

Rather than competing with AI, these programs help participants amplify their human advantage.

Examples include:

K–12

  • Project-based learning programs
  • Creativity and design programs
  • Collaborative problem-solving initiatives

Higher Education

  • Interdisciplinary learning models
  • Innovation studios
  • Experiential learning programs

Professional Development

  • Leadership development
  • Complex problem-solving training
  • Cross-functional innovation programs

Key question for judges:
Did this program strengthen the capabilities that make humans uniquely valuable in an AI-driven world?

Human Opportunity & Access

Expanding who benefits from the AI transition

The AI transition will reshape opportunity. This category recognizes programs that ensure more people – not fewer – benefit from it.

Winning programs help expand access to:

  • New skills
  • New career pathways
  • Digital participation
  • Economic mobility

They may focus on underserved communities, frontline workers, rural learners, or individuals transitioning between careers.

Examples include:

K–12

  • Equitable access to AI education
  • Programs for underserved students
  • Rural or low-resource school initiatives

Higher Education

  • Accessible reskilling pathways
  • Inclusive STEM initiatives
  • Career transition programs

Professional Development

  • Frontline workforce upskilling
  • Community workforce programs
  • Mid-career reskilling initiatives

Key question for judges:
Did this program expand opportunity in the AI transition rather than concentrating it?

Award Submission Process

All Mesh Awards submissions are made through a short, three-minute video.

The best submissions clearly tell a simple story: the challenge you identified, the program you implemented, and the impact it had on people.

Focus on real examples and outcomes, speak naturally rather than reading a script, and keep the message concise. Professional production is not required – a smartphone video in a quiet, well-lit space works perfectly well.

Each qualifying submission video will be uploaded and broadcast on the Insight Jam YouTube channel, which reaches over 1 million subscribers.

This means your program will gain visibility with educators, executives, and workforce leaders around the world, regardless of whether it wins an award.

The Award process

Judging Criteria

Mesh Awards submissions are evaluated using three broad criteria designed to highlight programs that genuinely prepare people to thrive alongside AI. At a time when organizations everywhere are experimenting, adapting, and inventing new ways of learning and working, the awards aim to surface the organic ideas and practical models that are emerging from the ground up.

1. Human Impact

Repellat ullamcorper, illum commo numquam aliquid voluptate pellen tesque urna sollicitudin.

Civil & Criminal Litigation

Repellat ullamcorper, illum commo numquam aliquid voluptate pellen tesque urna sollicitudin.

Property & Real Estate Law

Repellat ullamcorper, illum commo numquam aliquid voluptate pellen tesque urna sollicitudin.

AboUT US

The Mesh Awards are hosted by Solutions Review and Insight Jam

Solutions Review is a leading online publication covering enterprise technology and workforce transformation and Insight Jam, a platform exploring the human side of artificial intelligence. Together we help surface the real-world programs preparing people to thrive alongside AI.

Insight Jam YouTube Subscribers
Solutions Review Site Visitors

Put your brand into the program

Become a Sponsor

The Mesh Awards spotlight programs shaping how people learn and work alongside AI. We are inviting a limited number of sponsors to support this initiative and help amplify real-world models of human-centered innovation in education and workforce development.

Sponsors receive visibility across the awards program, including the Insight Jam YouTube channel (1M+ subscribers), event communications, and the broader Insight Jam community.

Interesting in sponsoring?

The Future of Work and learning

What Educators Have to Say About Mesh Awards

Repellat ullamcorper, illum commodo numquam aliquid voluptatem pellentesque repellendus rhoncus repellat lectus tristique sollicitudin! Urna torquent hac sed, aliquip porta, habitant? Congue elit anim.

LATEST NEWS

Our Latest Insights Update

Repellat ullamcorper, illum commodo numquam aliquid voluptatem pellentesque repellendus rhoncus repellat lectus tristique sollicitudin! Urna torquent hac sed, aliquip porta.

  • Hello world!

    Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!

    Learn More