SAFEGUARDING YOUNG PEOPLE’S EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT IN THE AI ERA

Tackling Surveillance Risks

1. AI surveillance threatens the privacy and mental health of young people: Its use in schools and workplaces can silently undermine young people’s autonomy and well-being.
2. Current regulations are insufficient: Although laws exist, they do not adequately address the specific risks of algorithmic surveillance for young people.
3. Stronger regulations are needed: For example, it is proposed to explicitly recognise the right to disconnect as a protective measure.
4. Resources and capacities for adequate ethical assessment are lacking: We advocate for professionally funded assessments and the use of accessible ethical tools to ensure the responsible implementation of AI.

Boosting Digital Literacy

1. The AI revolution requires new digital skills: European youth need up-to-date skills to thrive in a constantly changing technological environment.
2. Formal education is not advancing at the necessary pace: Digital non-formal education therefore offers a flexible and effective solution to complement traditional systems.
3. AI4Youth has developed two curricula: These materials are designed to train young people and youth professionals in the use of AI and algorithms in education and employment.
4. Critical digital literacy is key to an inclusive future: Promoting these skills enables young people to adapt, participate actively and build a digital age centred on human rights.

Dialogue for Effective AI Policies

1. Artificial intelligence is transforming employment and education, but the voices of young people continue to be excluded, exacerbating existing inequalities.
2. Young people—especially the most marginalised—face barriers to influencing fair public policies, limiting their capacity for meaningful participation.
3. Structured dialogue with young people needs to be institutionalised so that their perspectives can guide decisions on AI development at all levels.
4. Institutions need training to engage meaningfully with young people, transforming the current disconnect into effective and empowering dialogue.

Governing the AI Transformation

1. Automation poses a real risk of youth job displacement, although there is still no conclusive data on its full impact.
2. Clear definitions and real-time monitoring tools are needed to assess how AI affects employment and to respond effectively.
3. Proposals such as taxing automation—just like pollution—can curb its negative effects, protect young workers, and finance a just transition.
4. With adequate funding and smart policies, young people can move from being displaced to leading innovation, ensuring inclusive and equitable automation.

Stakeholder Coordination

1. Lifelong learning is only effective if there is coordination between all stakeholders, avoiding fragmentation of educational initiatives.
2. Structured dialogue is essential to ensure that all voices, especially those of young people, are heard in the development of inclusive policies in the digital age.
3. Digital platforms must be expanded and strengthened to facilitate broad and meaningful democratic participation.
4. Investing in training and institutional development makes it possible to create spaces for genuine dialogue with young people and ensure that no one is left behind in Europe’s technological transition.

Upskilling and Lifelong Learning

1. Automation is transforming employment and professional profiles, making it difficult for young people to enter the labour market.
2. Lifelong learning is key to enabling young people to adapt, develop their potential and take advantage of this technological transformation.
3. A long-term commitment and bold investments from institutions and businesses are needed to deliver inclusive policies, training and real opportunities for growth.
4. Investing in digital skills strengthens the economy, democratic participation and social cohesion, ensuring that no young person is left behind in this technological revolution.

Protecting Stakeholders' Dialogue

1. AI can improve productivity and flexibility, but if not properly regulated, it can reinforce inequalities and violate the rights of young people.
2. Technological changes are weakening traditional labour protections, such as collective bargaining, and putting job security at risk.
3. Cooperation between youth organisations, civil society, institutions and social partners is key to protecting and empowering young workers.
4. Innovative structures such as cooperatives offer inclusive alternatives, combining modern technology with youth participation in AI governance.

Promoting Development and Deployment of Complementary AI

1. AI designed to replace people can weaken education, isolate workers, and dehumanise the work experience.
2. Market pressures drive automation, often at the expense of inclusivity, creativity, and meaningful work.
3. We must invest in AI that complements human capabilities, improving learning and job quality without replacing people.
4. Strategic public investment can steer innovation towards fairer systems, where technology enhances human potential rather than replacing it.