Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the global landscape, offering opportunities in education, well-being, and the environment. However, these transformations come with significant ethical, social, and environmental challenges. The Youth Talks on AI Final Report (2024) highlights the perspectives of young people from around the world on these crucial issues. Between hopes and concerns, this global consultation provides us with a rich overview of youth aspirations and fears regarding AI.
A Global Dialogue on AI
The Youth Talks on AI program, held between April 2 and May 6, 2024, brought together over 1,100 participants from 121 countries. This initiative, launched by the Higher Education for Good Foundation, enabled young people aged 15 to 29 to debate three main themes: AI in education, well-being, and the environment.
These discussions, conducted on a multilingual and interactive platform, generated over 2,200 messages and nearly 5,500 reactions. Participants explored dilemmas such as replacing teachers with robots or using AI to address climate challenges. These exchanges revealed a pragmatic youth, aware of both the opportunities offered by AI and the limitations it imposes.
AI in Education: Between Innovation and Preservation
Young people see AI as a complementary tool to improve teaching efficiency. It can free teachers from repetitive administrative tasks, personalize learning according to individual needs, and provide continuous monitoring of student progress. Additionally, AI offers interactive tools, making learning more engaging for struggling students.
“AI can revolutionize assessments by providing real-time feedback and precise analyses of student performance.” — Anonymous Participant
Despite these advantages, young people express major concerns:
- Loss of creativity and critical thinking: Excessive use of AI could encourage intellectual laziness and standardization of ideas.
- The collection and use of students’ personal data raises concerns about privacy and surveillance. They also believe that the digital divide risks depriving certain regions of the world of AI’s benefits.
The Central Role of Teachers
Participants overwhelmingly reject the idea of replacing teachers with robots (71% against this idea). They emphasize that AI cannot replace the emotional intelligence and supportive role of teachers in students’ social and personal development.
AI and Well-being: A Nuanced Vision
Young people recognize that AI can play a key role in monitoring mental and physical health. It can provide tools to monitor stress levels, identify psychological disorders, and propose appropriate interventions.
However, young people fear excessive dependence on AI, which could reduce essential human interactions and increase social isolation. They call for thoughtful integration of AI to preserve the “human touch” in social and care relationships.
AI as a Catalyst for Ecological Transition
Participants see AI as a powerful ally in combating climate change. It can optimize energy systems, model environmental impacts, and support sustainable policies.
However, young people worry about the energy and environmental costs associated with AI implementation. They advocate for responsible use of resources, so that AI solutions themselves are ecologically viable.
Recommendations for Responsible AI Governance
The report highlights several key recommendations to guide AI integration into our societies:
- Ensure that AI respects privacy, promotes inclusion, and limits algorithmic bias.
- Develop global standards to prevent abuse and ensure equitable distribution of AI benefits.
- Invest in digital education: Reduce the digital divide by preserving universal access to technological tools and training young people in responsible AI use.
- Promote AI use that complements human skills without replacing them.
AI in Service of a Collective Future
The Youth Talks on AI Final Report (2024) illustrates a clear-sighted youth, aware of the potential and challenges of artificial intelligence. Young people advocate for a balanced approach that maximizes AI’s benefits while respecting fundamental human values. They call for inclusive, ethical, and sustainable governance, so that AI becomes a tool serving humanity. The future of AI depends on collective and responsible decisions. The question remains: will we be able to integrate this technology while preserving what makes us human beings?
