A UNICEF report presenting adolescents’ perspectives on artificial intelligence, based on consultations with 245 young people aged 12–19 in Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Sweden and the United States. It explores how adolescents understand AI, the opportunities and risks they associate with it, who they believe should be responsible for AI, and what support they need to engage with AI critically and safely.
Why it matters for ENACT-AI
The resource directly supports AI literacy, critical thinking, youth participation and safeguarding. It highlights adolescents’ concerns about privacy, data misuse, bias, inequality, scams, misinformation, unemployment and insufficient safeguards, while also emphasising young people’s right to participate in decisions about AI and their capacity to develop critical views and act collectively.
Learning outcomes
Learners can identify opportunities and risks associated with AI, critically reflect on how AI affects young people and society, recognise issues related to privacy, bias, inequality and data use, discuss who should be responsible for safe and ethical AI, understand the importance of youth participation in AI-related decision-making, and formulate their own perspectives on responsible AI.
Suggested activity
Use the UNICEF participatory workshop methodology. Start with a mapping exercise of learners’ everyday digital and AI experiences. Introduce basic AI concepts, then organise small-group discussions around AI opportunities, risks, responsibility and children's rights. Learners can analyse scenarios involving privacy, bias, targeted advertising or AI decision-making, identify stakeholders responsible for addressing each issue, and finish by developing recommendations for making AI safer and more beneficial for young people.