Youth-Led Think Tank · US · South Korea · Japan
Cultivating
Democracy
Across the
Asia-Pacific.
APDI is a cross-national, youth-led think tank dedicated to amplifying the voices of college students on critical global issues — bridging the gap between academic theory and actionable policy on AI governance, technology regulation, and democratic resilience.
60+
Active Members
3
Countries
Bi-Annual
Policy Reports
Our Mission
APDI seeks to establish a distinctive role as a youth-led platform that convenes student leaders from across the Asia-Pacific to shape AI and technology policy amid an era defined by complex geopolitical and technological change.
The ultimate focus of APDI is to cultivate and preserve democracy within the Asia-Pacific region. Every initiative, publication, and event traces back to this foundational goal — with AI and technology policy serving as our strategic entry point to establish credibility and impact.
Our brand is academic, official, and serious — while maintaining the modern agility of a youth organization. We actively build authority through rigorous research, professional presentation, and high-caliber expert associations.
Programs
01
External Connection
Conferences
APDI hosts guest speaker sessions and expert panels, bringing high-level industry leaders and academics directly to our student base. Conferences are designed to share insights and foster trilateral dialogue across the US, Korea, and Japan — supplemented by asynchronous expert interviews published online.
Quarterly · Offline & Online
Learn more →
02
Marquee Event
AI Policy Hackathon
Rather than writing code, student teams compete to design innovative, actionable policy frameworks addressing specific challenges in AI governance and tech regulation. A marquee interactive event that drives public engagement and generates fresh, youth-led solutions to the defining issues of our era.
Every Semester · Biannual
Visit policyhackathon.org →
03
Research & Content
Policy Reports
APDI synthesizes research, expert interviews, and hackathon findings into a comprehensive, formal policy report every six months. Cross-regional student teams of 3–4 members — mixing STEM and liberal arts backgrounds — produce rigorous, original policy recommendations. First report: H1 2026.
Biannual · Plus Ongoing Op-Eds
Read our essays →FAQ
01.
Who can join APDI?
APDI is a youth-led think tank open to college students from the United States, South Korea, and Japan who are interested in AI policy, technology governance, democratic institutions, and international relations. We welcome students from all academic backgrounds — both STEM and liberal arts.
02.
How do I apply to become a member?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this site to access our application form. We review applications on a rolling basis and look for students eager to contribute to rigorous research and policy dialogue.
03.
What is the AI Policy Hackathon?
The AI Policy Hackathon is APDI's marquee biannual event. Unlike traditional hackathons focused on code, student teams compete to design innovative, actionable policy frameworks addressing real challenges in AI governance and technology regulation. It drives public engagement and produces fresh, youth-led solutions. Learn more at policyhackathon.org.
04.
What does APDI publish?
APDI produces a comprehensive formal policy report every six months, synthesizing research, expert interviews, and hackathon findings into actionable policy recommendations. Between reports, we publish ongoing op-eds, bi-weekly news briefs, and investigative commentary — all accessible on our Opinion page.
05.
How is APDI structured?
APDI operates a decentralized but highly coordinated international network of approximately 60 active members across three branches: United States (Northeast, Westcoast, Southeast), South Korea, and Japan. Each branch is led by a Regional Director who adapts APDI's global directives into locally relevant research and outreach.
06.
Questions or want to get involved?
Reach out to us at pr@democracyincubator.org. We welcome inquiries from prospective members, partner organizations, journalists, and anyone interested in our work.
Opinion
Essays • Ideas • CommentaryTechnology Policy • Most Recent
Do we need AI non-proliferation?
The Trinity test of 1945 accomplished more than just end a war. It introduced a new category of human risk where the "absolute weapon" brought fundamental changes to traditional warfare. Today, the rapid deployment of Large Language Models and autonomous systems is becoming the foundation of every major industry, driving breakthroughs in everything from engineering to fundamental science.
Read full essay →Recent Essays
Technology Policy
Do we need AI non-proliferation?
Technology Policy
When Semiconductors Become Geopolitics
National Security
The Pentagon–Anthropic Conflict: In the Age of AI Militarization, Who Controls Strategic Judgment?
Technology Policy
Are We in a Race to the Top or Bottom? Regulatory Race and Effects on Tech Companies
Technology Policy
The Strategic Pivot: How U.S. Realism in Tech-Governance Redefines South Korea's Role
Foreign Policy
From Unfinished Wars to Technological Rivalry: East Asia's Search for Strategic Autonomy
Technology Policy
왜 한국에는 "국가 단계형 AI 전략"이 필요한가
OUR
PROGRAMS
Three core activities that bridge academic theory and actionable policy — connecting students with experts, generating original research, and building the next generation of democratic leaders.
Conferences
External Connection and Convening — Pillar A
APDI acts as a conduit connecting university students with established experts in AI, technology, national security, and international relations. Our conferences are designed to bring high-level industry leaders and academics directly to our student base to share insights and foster trilateral dialogue.
Conferences are held quarterly offline and online as needed, featuring guest speaker sessions and expert panels. To reduce logistical overhead, APDI supplements live conferences with asynchronous expert interviews published on social media and our website.
01
Guest Speaker Sessions
High-level practitioners from policy, government, and industry share insights on AI governance, geopolitics, and democratic resilience with our student network.
02
Expert Panels
Structured trilateral dialogue sessions bringing together perspectives from the United States, South Korea, and Japan on shared policy challenges.
03
Asynchronous Interviews
Published expert interviews distributed on social media and this website, extending conference insights to a broader audience between live events.
AI
Policy
Policy
Hackathon
Marquee Biannual Event
AI POLICY HACKATHON
Rather than writing code, student teams compete to design innovative, actionable policy frameworks addressing specific challenges in AI governance and technology regulation. This marquee interactive event drives public engagement and generates fresh, youth-led solutions to the defining issues of our era.
Teams are composed of students from diverse academic backgrounds — combining STEM expertise with liberal arts perspectives — to produce genuinely interdisciplinary policy proposals. Winners present their frameworks to an expert panel of academics and practitioners.
Visit policyhackathon.org →Research & Policy Reports
Research and Content Generation — Pillar B
APDI is a publishing house for original insights, research, and tangible policy recommendations. Cross-regional student teams of 3–4 members — mixing STEM and liberal arts backgrounds — synthesize research, expert interviews, and hackathon findings into a comprehensive formal policy report every six months.
The first official batch of APDI policy recommendations is scheduled for release in the first half of 2026. Between flagship reports, APDI publishes ongoing op-eds, bi-weekly news briefs, and investigative card news managed by the Editorial branch.
6mo
Biannual Policy Report
Comprehensive, formal policy recommendations synthesizing cross-regional research, expert testimony, and hackathon outcomes. First report: H1 2026.
2×
Bi-Weekly News Briefs
Concise, timely analysis of developments in AI policy, democratic governance, and Asia-Pacific geopolitics — published twice monthly.
∞
Op-Eds & Commentary
Original essays and commentary from APDI members and invited contributors, covering technology policy, national security, and democratic theory.
OUR
MISSION
Strengthening democratic institutions and fostering democratic values across the Asia-Pacific region through education, dialogue, and collaboration.
60+
Active Members
3
Countries (US · Korea · Japan)
3
Core Pillars
H1 2026
First Policy Report
"APDI seeks to establish a distinctive role as a youth-led platform that convenes student leaders from across the Asia-Pacific to shape AI and technology policy amid an era defined by complex geopolitical and technological change."
Three Operational Pillars
Every initiative, publication, and event traces back to our foundational goal: cultivating and preserving democracy across the Asia-Pacific.
A
External Connection & Convening
Connecting university students with established experts in AI, national security, and international relations through quarterly conferences and expert panels — fostering direct dialogue between the next generation and today's practitioners.
B
Research & Content Generation
Producing original policy recommendations through cross-regional student research teams, biannual formal reports, ongoing op-eds, and the AI Policy Hackathon — establishing APDI as a credible publishing voice in tech governance.
C
Internal Culture
Building a cohesive global community where members from the US, Korea, and Japan engage meaningfully across cultural and organizational silos — through weekly branch meetings and bi-weekly global sessions connecting all 60+ members.
2024
FOUNDED
Our Journey
OUR STORY
Founded in 2024, the Asia-Pacific Democracy Incubator emerged from a shared conviction: that student voices deserve a seat at the table of global policy discourse. A group of students from leading universities in the United States and South Korea came together to create a platform that bridges the gap between academic theory and actionable policy — starting with the most urgent issue of our era: AI governance.
APDI operates a decentralized but highly coordinated international network across three branches — United States (Northeast, Westcoast, Southeast), South Korea, and Japan — with approximately 60 active members unified by a commitment to rigorous research, professional credibility, and democratic values.
OUR
TEAM
Meet the passionate student leaders driving democratic innovation and international cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.
15+
Core Members
From 4 Countries
15+
Team Members
4
Countries Represented
6
Universities Connected
5+
Programs Developed
Leadership Team
Seungheon Lee
Executive Director
Education
Student at University of Michigan
Contacts
Sunwoo Kim
Director of Programs
Education
Student at Korea University
Contacts
Jeewon Kim
Director of Communications
Education
Student at Yonsei University
Contacts
Erin Shim
Director of Public Relations
Education
Student at Yonsei University
Contacts
Minhyeong Cha
Marketing Manager
Education
Student at Yonsei University
Contacts
Minji Choe
Programs Manager
Education
Student at Yonsei University
Contacts
"Our diverse team of student leaders brings fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to democratic engagement and international cooperation."
As students from prestigious universities across the United States and South Korea, our team combines academic excellence with practical experience in democratic leadership. We represent the next generation of leaders committed to strengthening democratic institutions.
Together, we work to create meaningful opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue, democratic education, and leadership development. Our initiatives focus on building bridges between diverse communities and fostering understanding across the Asia-Pacific region.
University Partnerships
Our team's diverse educational backgrounds enable strong partnerships with leading universities across the Asia-Pacific region.
US Universities
Strong connections with Notre Dame, Yale, and Georgetown Universities provide access to diverse academic resources and networks.
Korean Universities
Partnership with Yonsei University strengthens our regional presence and understanding of East Asian perspectives.
Student Networks
Extensive networks across multiple campuses facilitate broad participation in our democratic leadership programs.
GET IN
TOUCH
Have questions about our programs, the AI Policy Hackathon, or how to get involved? We welcome inquiries from prospective members, partner organizations, journalists, and anyone interested in our work.
pr@democracyincubator.org Apply Now