Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be defined as “a set of sciences,theories and techniques whose purpose is to reproduce by a machine the cognitive abilities of a human being. Current developments aim, for instance, to be able to entrust a machine with complex tasks previously delegated to a human.”
AI is expected to play a greater role in the way that governments and public institutions operate, and the way in which citizens interact and participate in democratic processes. The hopes placed on AI are accompanied by a similarly high number of fears and concerns, mostly related to ethical issues, including human rights, and to the reliability (or security) of the technologies.
By its present and future impact on social life and organisation or by its reliance on young people to programme and fine-tune AI technologies, AI is very closely related to young people. Yet, there is relatively little research and information about how AI will impact on young people as citizens in transition to autonomy regarding their well-being, possibilities to participate and shape society and their access to rights, including social rights.
It is within this context that the Youth Department of the Council of Europe organised in december 2019, a first seminar on Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Young People.
In 2020, the seminar “How can youth take part” is positioned within a wider framework of different steps already taken by the Council of Europe for making the link between AI and democratic citizenship.
Its role is to further transform the conclusions of the 2019 seminar on AI and its impact on young people, by exploring issues, challenges and roles that potential stakeholders can have to secure the participation of young people in AI decision making processes at all levels. The seminar will provide space for learning and knowledge sharing around two key questions:
- What do young people need to know to feel part of the social, technological and political processes around AI?
- What should public and private actors in AI take into account to allow for participation spaces for and by young people, the digital natives?
It should also identify action and advocacy points for youth participation in AI processes/ governance.
Objectives
- To Map stakeholders and processes involved in AI governance relevant for youth
- To Identify policy gaps that prevent youth from taking part in AI governance
- To Strengthen the role of the youth sector in advocating for the active participation of young people in AI
- To Develop approaches and resources for AI literacy for the youth sector.
Format
- The seminar will be held fully online.
- The programme is constructed as a process that is particularly suited to follow all the sessions even if each session should have a value on its own.
- Participation in the full activity is this highly recommended (a certificate will be provided to those attending 80% of the activity).
Programme
- The programme is designed according to the principles and expertise of the youth sector of the Council of Europe with non-formal education.
- There will be 2 sessions per day (11.00 to 12.45 and 16.00 to 18.00).
- Each session will combine plenary with experts input, work in group, peer-learning activities and collaborative tools.
During the seminar "How can Youth Take Part?" the illustrator Vanda Kovacs will make a pictorial report of what has been said each day. Do have a look!
