AI, Young People, and the Responsibility We Share

As a retired school counsellor, psychologist, and parent, young people matter deeply to me. So does understanding the growing influence of artificial intelligence on their lives.

I consider myself a lifelong learner. I continue to read, listen, question, and explore the research surrounding AI, particularly its impact on youth and the ethical considerations that come with it.

I am not an AI researcher, but I am someone who reads a great deal of research.

And I will admit, even for someone actively trying to keep up, the pace of change can feel overwhelming, all-encompassing, and, at times, confusing.

One thing I do know:

AI is here to stay. It can be helpful, but it is not harmless.

As adults who care about young people, we have a responsibility to understand both its potential benefits and its possible harms.

We need to keep asking important ethical questions about privacy, safety, relationships, emotional well-being, critical thinking, and the role AI should (and should not) play in the lives of young people.

But here is the question I keep coming back to:

How do we keep up?

And perhaps more importantly, how can we reasonably expect teachers, school counsellors, psychologists, parents, and others who work with youth to keep up when the landscape changes almost daily?

We cannot expect everyone to become an AI expert. Are there really any experts out there?

We can, however, create opportunities to learn together, ask better questions, challenge assumptions, and seek guidance from people who are thoughtfully examining both the promise and the risks.

We need trusted voices. Researchers, educators, mental health professionals, ethicists, and leaders who are willing to share what they know, acknowledge what they don't, and continue learning alongside us.

Not voices that simply tell us AI is wonderful.

Not voices that tell us everything about AI is dangerous.

But voices that help us think critically, ethically, and responsibly.

Because when it comes to young people, our responsibility is not simply to keep up with technology.

It is to make sure we don't lose sight of humanity along the way.

I would love to hear from others:

Who are the trusted voices helping YOU navigate AI, particularly when it comes to children, teens, education, and mental health?

Who are you reading, listening to, learning from, or questioning?

Perhaps one of the most valuable things we can do right now is share the people and resources helping us make sense of it all.