As part of the recently launched Government AI Campus, Apolitical is publishing a series of articles exploring AI adoption in government. These articles take on many forms, from op-eds written by academic experts to interviews with public sector leaders working on AI adoption themselves.

Elena Sinel is the Founder and CEO of Teens in AI, as well as Acorn Aspiration. She has been appointed as a member of the Education Task Force — part of the All Parliamentary Group in Artificial Intelligence. Elena’s work focuses on empowering young people to use technology and create innovative solutions to the world’s biggest problems.

In this article, Elena responds to a couple of questions about the role of AI skills in education.

**One of the commitments Teens in AI has made is to increase the diversity of voices in the ongoing conversation about AI, especially regulation, safety, etc. What are the repercussions of not including young people and teenagers, for example? **

Excluding young people from conversations about AI carries significant repercussions. Firstly, it limits the diversity of perspectives and ideas brought to the table. Young minds often offer fresh insights and innovative solutions to complex problems. By not involving them, we miss out on potential breakthroughs and overlook issues that affect their generation directly. Excluding teens from the conversation perpetuates an intergenerational gap in understanding and trust in AI technologies.

  • _Teenagers grow into adults. They are future leaders and it's absolutely imperative that we nurture their understanding now so that when they become decision-makers, they make those decisions responsibly. _
  • _Engaging young people fosters a more inclusive and democratic approach to shaping AI policies and regulations, ensuring that the benefits and risks are addressed equitably across all demographics, not only now but in their futures. _
  • Teens in AI actively cultivate a global community of young AI enthusiasts through its programmes, providing platforms for their voices to be heard and valued in shaping the future of AI.

**Has the rise of generative AI changed anything about what you and your organisation are working on? Have the skill sets you’re focusing on developing changed? **

The rise of generative AI has certainly influenced our work at Teens in AI. We recognise the importance of understanding and responsibly harnessing these technologies. Our focus on skill development has evolved to include not only technical competencies but also ethical considerations, critical thinking, digital literacy and soft skills including interpersonal and presenting to a public audience.

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  • _We cannot stop teens from using these technologies. All we can do is show them how to use them responsibly and also open their minds to some of the consequences such as the environmental impact of Gen AI/LLM systems. _
  • At the same time, we focus on teaching teens how to use AI systems for impact and tackle real-world problems. We do not just teach Python for the sake of Python. We show how Python can be used for the benefit of humanity, whilst also highlighting that the same line of code can also be used to cause harm and that it's their responsibility to ensure this does not happen.
  • _By empowering young people with these multidimensional skills, we prepare them to navigate the complexities of AI innovation and contribute positively to its development. _
  • Teens in AI fosters an environment of continuous learning and exploration, where young participants are encouraged to experiment with emerging AI technologies under the guidance of experienced mentors, thereby staying ahead of the curve in understanding and leveraging new advancements.

**Teens in AI is investing in teaching kids how to use AI to solve global problems. Why is AI such an important skill? What is it about AI that makes it possible to imagine solving global problems? **

AI is a crucial skill for tackling global challenges because of its potential to scale impact and drive efficiency in problem-solving. The ability to leverage AI technologies enables us to analyse vast amounts of data, identify patterns and generate insights that can inform decision-making and drive solutions in areas such as healthcare, climate change, education and more.

  • _Teaching young people AI skills equips them to be proactive problem solvers and innovators, empowering them to address pressing global issues and shape a better future for themselves and their communities. _
  • Teens in AI offers hands-on education and mentorship in AI to young individuals from diverse backgrounds. It empowers them to tackle real-world problems through programs like the annual International Women's Day Global Techathon, the AI4Good Incubator and the Teens in Action Forum which provides monthly workshops.

**There’s a lot of discussion these days about the possibility of there being a large-scale AI skills gap, just as there currently is a large digital and data skills gap. What do you think can be done to address this? **

Addressing the AI skills gap requires a multifaceted approach involving collaboration between government, industry, academia and non-profit organisations. Initiatives should focus on early education and awareness programmes to inspire interest in AI among teenagers, provide accessible and inclusive learning opportunities and offer mentorship and hands-on experience in AI-related fields._ _

  • Efforts should be made to diversify the AI workforce by actively recruiting and supporting underrepresented groups, ensuring a broader range of perspectives and expertise in the field.
  • Teens in AI bridges the skills gap by offering tailored programmes and resources that empower young people — particularly those from underrepresented communities — to pursue careers in AI and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse industry landscape.

**It is still unclear what the right role of AI is in schools and higher education. When ChatGPT was made publicly available, educational institutions had to act quickly to generate policy defining acceptable use. You’ve mentioned the importance of “learning how to learn” in interviews before. Are you concerned at all about AI being used in an educational setting? What needs to be changed about AI education to ensure it is facilitating learning? **

While AI holds great potential in enhancing educational experiences, there are legitimate concerns about its ethical implications and impact on learning outcomes. It's essential to prioritise an approach to AI in education that emphasises human-centric design, promotes critical thinking, creativity and collaboration and addresses issues of bias, privacy and equity.

  • Educators must be equipped with the knowledge and resources to effectively integrate AI tools into the curriculum in ways that support personalised learning and foster digital literacy skills. Ongoing research and dialogue are needed to establish best practices and guidelines for responsible AI use in educational settings.
  • Teens in AI advocates for ethically responsible AI education, providing resources and training to educators and students to ensure that AI technologies are deployed in ways that prioritise learner well-being, equity and inclusivity.

**Are there any innovations in the education space which use AI that you think are particularly exciting? **

Several innovations in the education space leveraging AI are particularly exciting. Adaptive learning platforms use AI algorithms to personalise learning experiences based on individual student needs and preferences, enabling more effective and engaging instruction. AI-powered tutoring systems offer real-time feedback and support to students, supplementing traditional teaching methods and improving learning outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies enhanced by AI are revolutionising experiential learning, allowing students to explore immersive educational environments and simulations.

  • These innovations have the potential to democratise access to quality education and transform the way we teach and learn.
  • Teens in AI actively collaborate with educational institutions and technology partners to develop and implement innovative AI-driven solutions that enhance learning experiences and empower students to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
  • Teens in AI also work with governments to help bring AI skills into the curriculum whilst also emphasising multidisciplinary learning. AI is not something that should be taught in a computer science class because it can apply to so many different subjects. For example, the subject of Geography, where students could be building a model that predicts disasters, etc.

About Teens in AI

Launched in 2018 at the United Nations AI for Good Global Summit, Teens in AI is a social impact-driven initiative that inspires teens to explore a future in tech and AI through collaborative, hands-on learning experiences. Since its inception, Teens in AI has been instrumental in guiding over 12,000 young minds across 45 countries, leading initiatives that resonate with UN Sustainable Development Goals. It provides teens — aged 12 to 18 — the platform and knowledge to create AI solutions with societal benefits at their core. They believe in harnessing technology to create a fair world where everyone has equal opportunity to maximise their potential. By encouraging diverse perspectives, Teens in AI acts as a catalyst for change, inspiring the next generation of responsible leaders, innovators and technologists from all walks of life to shape the world of tomorrow.

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(Image credit: Unsplash)